Organizing your Chemo Recovery Space

awsmGirl

Again, i am looking toward and planning for the start of Chemo in 2-3 weeks, and am hoping that you who have been there, can help me with ideas, suggestions, advice about how to Set-up, Organize and Stock my Recovery Space.

What sorts of things made your Recovery Space work for you?

Conversely, what sorts of things were negatives/counter-productive?

What sorts of materials should i consider having on hand?

 

Thank you!

~aswmGirl

desertgirl947

Not sure what you mean about

Not sure what you mean about recovery space. 

I spent a lot of time in my recliner in the livingroom.  I was still recovering from my surgery, and I could not sleep comfortably in bed until about three months after.  By then, I was already doing chemo.  I had nearby reading materials, phone, remote, and a BIG water bottle full.  I was not one to be inactive, making myself get up and get moving.  So, I took my meals at the table.  Usually my husband took care of meals, although we had friends who would drop supper by once a week or so.

I tended to have music on in the early afternoon and made myself just chill -- no reading, no tv, nothing like that.  Just stretch out in my recliner and close my eyes. 

I have no idea if this is in the least answering your questions; but I hope something here might be helpful to you.

Puffin2014

chemo

For the first chemo session, it was mainly only the first 4 days that I had to spend in my recliner. I was really unsteady, food didn't really taste good. Then for the next 2 weeks I could do light housework and yardwork. As the sessions went on I spent more and more time in the recliner. Have a variety of liquids on hand to drink besides water, lemonade, popsicles, gingerale. I didn't feel like eating big meals so lots of snacking: pudding, applesauce, watermelon, gingersnaps, soda crackers, instant mashed potatoes. 

what to get rid of: your "to-do" lists! The more flexible you can be the better, nap when you need to, be ready to change plans as you can feel good at 9am and by 11 you can't hold your head up you're so tired so it's nap time. Most of the time I was able to work on my laptop, but what I did depended on how clear my head was thinking. If my head was foggy I could safely crop photos, if my thinking was clear I could work on something more complicated.

awsmGirl

These are good ideas!

by "Recovery Space", i do indeed mean a flexible location: that spot in your home with the recliner, or your bed/rest area, or where-ever else it may be that you found was a good environment, for whatever reason.

So it sounds like Recliners will be my friends, and luckily, i will have access to that!  I'm very much a fan of water, but i like the idea of other drinks -- Ginger Tea is a go-to, plus it's good for tummies, so i will keep that in mind...

I will be doing a round of Chemo starting in teh next 2-3weeks, then surgery about 4-5 months out, likely followed up by more "shindig, to be determined."  The diagnosis and laying-out teh specifics has been delayed for more testing (has it spread and is worse?)

@Puffin, lolz, i live by my lists!  

 

~awsmGirl

 

desertgirl947

awsmGirl said:

These are good ideas!

by "Recovery Space", i do indeed mean a flexible location: that spot in your home with the recliner, or your bed/rest area, or where-ever else it may be that you found was a good environment, for whatever reason.

So it sounds like Recliners will be my friends, and luckily, i will have access to that!  I'm very much a fan of water, but i like the idea of other drinks -- Ginger Tea is a go-to, plus it's good for tummies, so i will keep that in mind...

I will be doing a round of Chemo starting in teh next 2-3weeks, then surgery about 4-5 months out, likely followed up by more "shindig, to be determined."  The diagnosis and laying-out teh specifics has been delayed for more testing (has it spread and is worse?)

@Puffin, lolz, i live by my lists!  

 

~awsmGirl

 

Probably the med people are

Probably the med people are wanting to be sure what is actually there so they can fine tune your treatment options.

Puffin2014

lists

I live by my lists too, and it's fine to make lists, as long as you're flexible in when they get done. ID the top priority item on the list and do that first so if your energy goes south during the day you at least got the most important thing done.

joannstar

Nothing tasted good

I had a metallic taste in my mouth for a few days after chemo. I found that using plastic utensils, paper plates and straws worked well. Be prepared for your food preferences to change--all I wanted to eat was pasta with butter and garlic on it. My onc warned me about eating raw foods--triple wash, no salad bars, mostly cooked foods (to kill bacteria).

I kept a go bag with books, blankets and water bottles ready to go for my chemo day.

I tried to get my laundry done ahead of chemo so that I it wouldn't be waiting for me. The first week after infusion was the worst, then as the next 2 weeks went by I felt better until another infusion (I was on a 3 week schedule). I worked full time but took off the chemo day and another day after when I had the neulasta shot and ached too much to sit at my desk. 

My husband did the shopping and a lot of the cooking. Not so much on the cleaning--I just let the house get dirty! I didn't want or need company so I just didn't care.

Good luck to you--it will be over before you realize it and then this will become a memory (at least this is my experience now after 5.5 years).

JoAnn