11 Things To Do While On Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy are hard processes for cancer patients to go through all by themselves. The long waits beforehand in some hospitals, as well as the very long time some patients spend in treatment, don’t make it any easier. Knowing how to spend your time may be one of the more valuable things that a cancer patient can learn before going to their first treatment session for cancer. With that in mind, I thought I would start a list of things that can be done to pass the time while on chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Maybe it will help some of you to cope with the long waits at some treatment center waiting rooms and during treatment itself. If you know of more ways to pass the time, be sure to post in the comments section.
1) Books Reading may not be easy for some cancer patients, chemotherapy can alter your mind in challenging ways, but a large majority of patients are fine with it. Reading is a great way to pass the time during treatments and while recovering at home. Personally, I took up reading as my pastime of choice during my first chemotherapy sessions. Unfortunately, the unpleasant experience, combined with some unexpected mental side-effects from an anti-nausea medication, made reading difficult. I managed to finish all 800 pages of a novel, but it was a struggle.
2) Puzzle Books Not a personal choice of mine, but I did see many other patients opt for this. If you like puzzles, it’s a great way to pass the time.
3) Jigsaw Puzzles Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to spend time in treatment. Some may require a large surface to work on and it may not be available to you. This particular option was popular among some of the older folks in my chemotherapy treatment center.
4) Magazines Same as books, but magazines can be better since they are short and don’t require a long time or mental commitment. I know of situations where chemo patients have problems with giving something long-time attention. Magazines make it easier by providing the reader with short, varied articles. Sometimes, you just want to look at pictures too, which helps.
5) Portable video game consoles Especially for younger patients, portable video game systems, such as Nintendo’s DS Lite or Sony’s Play Station Portable, can provide endless fun while on treatments and provide a necessary distraction. Care should be had as to not bother other patients with video game sounds. Use headphones or lower the volume to zero. The systems can be inexpensive when compared to their full sized counterparts, but deliver just as much fun. New ones start at $125.00 and used ones are even cheaper. Games are as low as $10 new. Older folks can also benefit from some of the games and you can watch movies on a PSP.
6) Portable DVD player Portable DVD players are definitely another excellent way to pass the time. These things have gotten really cheap and are excellent at distracting patients from the symptoms of treatment. The only drawback is you’ll need a steady supply of movies, but Blockbuster or Netflix can easily take care of that. Many treatment centers are TV equipped, so watching TV will be a possibility and greatly help. I became quite a fan of “Saved by the Bell”, of all things, and I used to hate it when it was originally airing back in the day.
7) Playing cards or board games Of course, this one requires a partner to play with most of the time. If you’re sharing space with other patients, this may be an excellent option. It helps with patients who are accompanied by friends or relatives, as well, as it gives them a way to pass the time while they attend to the patient. This can be a fun and very low priced way to pass the time.
8 ) Paying bills and other responsibilities Some patients who have to take time off from responsibility to be in treatment are affected, not just by disease or treatment symptoms, but by a feeling of irresponsibility that things need to be taken care of and they’re not getting done. Taking some bills to pay with you or other similar easy tasks that can be done while on chemo may be a good idea. It may help you feel useful and give you a sense of accomplishment.
9) Surf the Internet Of course, this can only happen in cancer treatment centers were the option is available. Wi-Fi enabled cancer treatment centers are growing and having the ability to take a laptop with you and surf the internet is great. The internet opens up many possibilities as to what you can do with your time. From working, to playing, to reading, to just watching videos; there really is a lot you can do. Be cautious, though, some treatment centers prohibit the use of wireless devices as it may interfere with some medical devices.
10) Start conversations with fellow patients Fellow patients are going through the same thing you are. While some centers give you an individualized room in which talking with other patients is difficult, in a lot of scenarios you’ll be accompanied by other patients. Talking with them and sharing experiences is a great way to pass the time and helps cope with the disease and its treatments. Be careful, though, some patients do not like to be approached by strangers and others may not be feeling well and talking may make them worse. Personally for me, hearing too many people talk at once in the waiting room before chemotherapy was difficult and even led me to vomiting one time. I know, it sounds weird, but I know of other patients with similar situations.
11) Sleep or Stare at the Ceiling Yep. Sometimes the best way to deal with chemo is by not doing anything at all. Don’t feel pressured to do anything. If sitting there staring blankly at the wall will make you feel more at ease, then it’s the best thing you can do.
I hope all the things I have listed will help some of you cope in the treatment centers. An MP3 player may help you as well. Listening to music and tuning out everyone around may help you feel better. Don’t feel like you have to spend hundreds on an iPod, some good, simple players can be had for around $30.
Anyone have any other suggestions or ideas? Let’s keep this list growing in the comments or post about your experiences.
(c) 2009 Helpoon.com
All great stuff. Probably the most annoying thing is chemobrain…