The 7 Best Ways to Cope with the Side Effects of Chemo for Breast Cancer

Welcome back to Twins4wellness in this blog post we have discovered the best ways to cope with chemo side effects. Chemotherapy was my biggest fear, mainly because of all of the horrible side effects. My oncologist reassured me that it would not be as bad as I thought. I was terrified during my first infusion but it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It was still crappy but I was able to work through the entire 20 weeks of Chemotherapy. 

Chemotherapy for breast cancer has various side effects, not all people with breast cancer will get all or any of them. The most common side effects are hair loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, changes in taste, diarrhea or constipation, lowered blood cell counts (increasing the risk of infection, anemia, or bleeding), neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the hands and feet) and increased susceptibility to bruising and bleeding. I know all of these side effects sound bad but there are ways to cope with these side effects so that you can get through chemotherapy. Here are the top 7 best ways to cope with the side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Talk with your health care team

Tell your healthcare team about any side effects you experience so that they can offer you support and guidance. Nurses have seen a lot of patients go through chemotherapy and know a lot of the side effects. They can help you cope with those side effects. In my experience, nurses are very supportive and will help answer any questions.

Follow your healthcare team’s recommendations.

They will give you information before you start chemotherapy explaining what to expect and what medicines you can take to help alleviate some side effects. I was prescribed two anti-nausea meds that helped me after the first couple of infusions. 

Rest and conserve energy.

Make sure to listen to your body and rest when you need to. Do gentle exercises if your medical team approves it. 

Eat well if you can.

Maintain a healthy balanced diet and stay hydrated. Eating small, more frequent meals and avoiding spicy or greasy foods might help with the nausea. 

Seek emotional support.

Share your journey with friends and family. I would also recommend joining a support group so you can connect with others who have gone through cancer treatment. They are a great source of information on side effects and what helps ease them. I joined a couple of online Facebook groups but many cancer centers also have support groups and therapists. 

Manage your discomfort.

For hair loss find nice wigs and head coverings on places like Amazon. I found some adorable hats on Amazon that had different colors and styles.  

Practice self-care

Practice self-care to keep your mind positive. Engage in activities that bring joy and relaxation to you such as hobbies, gentle exercises, meditation, or mindfulness techniques. Read, do puzzles, work on crosswords whatever it is that makes you feel at peace. 

Remember everyone’s chemotherapy treatment is different. I hope these coping tips will help make your chemotherapy journey easier.