You can Google search or trawl the internet for the actual scientific research on chemo-brain and its causes. I am not a medical professional, so I only know what I know from my own experience of chemo-brain during my chemotherapy treatment.
I used to be a reader, a big reader. I could read a book in a day. I loved books. I took a book or my Kindle to my first chemo treatments. For the first two or three chemo treatments, I spent the whole day reading. But somewhere around chemo treatment number three, I stopped being able to read. I suddenly couldn’t get through a page without having to re-read it and then quickly found I couldn’t get through a paragraph. My brain just wasn’t taking anything in. I wasn’t processing or retaining information.
This fog soon spread to life in general. I couldn’t remember things, I wasn’t processing things, I felt foggy and disconnected. My concentration for extended periods of time was gone.
During my treatment, I did some things which helped me to stay on top of my treatment plan despite the mental haze. Here are some steps you too can take to help with the effects of chemo-brain;
If you have found yourself here and are suffering from chemo-brain, take a deep breath and release it slowly.
You are not alone. You are not going crazy.
Your poor brain is just frazzled, and your entire system is probably in shock. Give yourself a break, acknowledge the enormity of what you are going through and just try and accept everything as it is for you right now.
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This post is a reference for you, as a supporter of someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.
What should you say and do when you hear this devastating news? How do you reach out?
If you are panicking and worried about the ‘right’ thing to say, or frantically thinking of things you can do to help, then read on for a guide which should help you navigate this difficult time.
You can also read a reference page for fast and easy tips to use in the immediate moments after hearing news of diagnosis.
How you turn up for someone during this time in their lives is so much more important than anything you gift. You don’t have to send expensive flowers, although I’m sure they would be appreciated! Your active support and presence are the best gifts you can give. Time is the most precious resource we all have, so gifting your time is the ultimate gift to anyone, ever. Anything else, is an added welcome bonus.
All you have to say is, something.
The fact that you are saying something is the most important thing. Just reaching out and letting them know you are there for them, is all they really need right now.
I know how hard it can be to find the right words sometimes, and how that can prevent you from reaching out. So, here are some tips on how to talk with someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Whatever you do or say, remember to be flexible to their schedule, mood and needs.
Consider setting up a supporter’s club for them. If there is a group of family members or friends, set up a schedule of tasks and assign volunteers every week to help out. I’ve designed a weekly planner you can use for this and if you're a subscriber you will be given this as a free downloadable resource.
It can be hard to support someone through their cancer journey. But try to remember that there are dark days they will have to battle, this is their journey.
In recent times it has been even harder to support loved ones, but we can still connect and support each other in different ways.
Support and Uplift them!
As a supporter, there are resources out there for you too.
Consider listening to or reading Brené Brown. She speaks on the topic of not knowing what to say and procrastination. We're all familiar with this concept because we've all been there. There is no right thing to say. It is never too late to reach out. But it is better if you can reach out honestly without fear of not knowing the right thing to say. You can always start with "I don't know what to say".
Listen and subscribe to The Answers for Cancers Podcast. This podcast is run by two Irish oncology nurses from the Mater, and it is an excellent resource for everyone going through the cancer journey. Their episodes are extremely informative and helpful at breaking down cancer.
Visit the Irish Cancer Society website. It's full of resources and advice for everyone. Their information for carers will be extremely helpful to you.
Consider counselling for yourself. Especially if you are a close supporter. Don't be afraid to seek help for yourself. You can turn up for them, by turning up for yourself first.
Cancer is hard for everyone to navigate. But it can be easier when we navigate it together.
Read on for some tips on skin care while you are undergoing cancer treatment and some product recommendations from my own personal experience.
If you are a supporter of someone going through cancer treatments, read on for some more information that you can use to better support them and use some of my personal suggestions as ideas for practical gifting solutions.
As a cancer patient, your oncology team will advise you that you must be careful of the beauty products you are using. When you are going through chemo your skin and nails can be affected because chemo drugs target rapidly dividing cells and your skin and nails are made up of rapidly dividing cells. Some of the drugs used to help ease side effects such as steroids, can also cause skin issues. Basically, your skin is more sensitive and prone to reactions. You may experience sensitivity to products you have been using your whole life.
When you are undergoing radiotherapy, your skin can react to treatment by turning pink or red and becoming inflamed. Your consultant will advise you best on this but keeping the area fully moisturised is the only way to ease this.
During chemo, your skin may become dry and irritated, even itchy. The first thing to do is to record this and report it back to your oncology team. They will be able to better advise you on specific products and may even be able to prescribe you something to help ease your discomfort, depending on the severity of the reaction. If you notice peeling skin on your palms or the soles of your feet you should let your oncology team know straight away. Also, talk to your oncology team if you experience acne breakout. This happened to me and it was truly miserable. So sore and uncomfortable. My team were able to prescribe me medication that helped almost immediately.
So, here are some Top Tips for your skincare during chemo or radiotherapy:
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional so anything that I recommend is from my own personal use and experience. As anyone going through chemo knows, you should always ask your oncology team for advice before using any unprescribed medications or topical ointments. Feel free to bring this list of suggested products to your oncology team to discuss if these products are suitable for your use during chemo.
For outdoor days or activities (like gardening and walks) I am a huge fan of the Image products and my all-time favourite sunscreen to use on my face and body is Image SPF50. This doesn’t leave a chalky residue and isn’t greasy. I always purchase my Image products from Millies – if you haven’t discovered this Irish shop, you’re welcome. Fabulous range of products and gorgeous people running it. I always love receiving my orders. Their Instagram feed is gorgeous too.
When I am wearing makeup, I like to use Skingredients 04 Skin Shield SPF50. This is a gorgeous lightweight formula that blends into my skin effortlessly. I apply it as the final layer before my foundation or bb cream. It has multiple additional perks as a product; it can be used as a primer and it also provides a shield against blue light from computer screens. Skingredients products are fragrance free, cruelty free and vegan-friendly. This Irish brand is from Jennifer Rock, the Skin Nerd.
For a product with minimal chemicals, lately I am using Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45. It's SPF5 less than I usually like to wear but I have started wearing this on cloudy days and I love it. This product is from The Gardiner Family Apothecary. These products are fantastic; chemical free and cruelty free. It's also an Irish family business so you're supporting local!
When I was going through chemo, I used CeraVe on my face. This is a gorgeous product; it absorbs quickly with no greasy residue. You should be able to find this range in your local pharmacy but I purchase mine through Boots Ireland when I can't find it in my local pharmacy.
During chemo and while I was undergoing Radiotherapy, I used E45 cream on my body. E45 cream is great because it's so light, unperfumed and hypoallergenic. Again, you should be able to find this range in your local pharmacy or through Boots Ireland.
When I was going through chemo, I had lip balm everywhere. And that has continued. I used Lanolips which I purchased from Boots. Just before I started chemo, I bought 4 of these tubes. I kept one in my chemo bag, one in my handbag, one by my bed and one in my kitchen. They last so long that one and a half years later and all four tubes are still on the go.
If you are looking for a product with added SPF, I have recently discovered the Elave lip balm with added SPF20 which is a fantastic bonus for me.
With all the antibacterial gels we are using these days, our poor hands are having a tough time. Add chemo to the mix and you’re probably experiencing serious dryness. When I was going through chemo, I used E45 and CeraVe on my hands. The CeraVe in particular was great because it is so lightweight and absorbs instantly so there was zero greasiness or sticky residue.
My feet did start to peel and were severely dry. I discussed this quickly with my oncology team, so it never got worse. I have been a long-time fan of Weleda and used this when my feet were at their worst. I lathered my feet a few times a day and put on fluffy socks to help it absorb. One tip though – be careful showering because moisturising your feet can make them slippery. Before my showers, I would wipe down the soles of my feet and this helped make my showers a less slippery, safer experience. Stay safe out there people!
I have provided some of these tips on my Instagram feed too so make sure you check it out and follow me @theupliftkit
As always, thank you for reading and please feel free to leave comments with any extra suggestions or feedback.
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I over-packed like a mad thing for my first infusion. Honestly, I arrived on ward as if I was going away for the weekend, it wasn't quite a roller suitcase, but very close! I streamlined my chemo bag down to a few more basic items which I have listed below for you.
I recommend that you choose a duffel bag or backpack that you can designate for use as your ‘Chemo Bag’. Keep this bag packed and set aside for each infusion. This way, all you have to do is check through it the day before to make sure everything is there. You’re going to have enough on your plate, my tips are all about making life as organised and therefore, as easy as possible for you.
I hope this list and free PDF helps you! If you’re about to start chemo and worried, or wondering about anything, always feel free to get in touch.
]]>If you are getting chemotherapy every three weeks, here is a 5-day plan to help you get organised and ready for it every cycle.
]]>Organise your grocery shopping to be delivered the day before your chemo day.
Either place your online order or organise this with a supporter who is helping you with your shopping.
Consider including the following items which may help you in the days after chemo:
Try and get through a few laundry loads today and tomorrow.
Make sure you include any clothes you plan on wearing to chemo. I used to wear the same outfit to every chemo infusion. I knew it was comfy and accessible for all the injections etc. I wore something different once and realised too late that the top was totally inappropriate as I couldn’t roll the sleeves up properly for my blood pressure check and the neckline was awkward for port access.
Also try and wash all your towels and bedsheets. This way everything will be clean and hygienic for you, which is especially important during the first week after chemo.
Organise your Pharmacy order today.
Either phone in your prescription list to your local pharmacy or ask your supporter to drop it in, and request collection or delivery tomorrow. This gives you an extra day in case they don’t have something in stock.
This can be a day of cleaning and cooking.
Try and ask for help with these things if you can. Save your energy where you can and avail of all offers of help!
Whoever does it, try and clean your kitchen and bathroom in particular. When you’re going through chemo, your oncology team will probably recommend that you designate one bathroom for your use after chemo. Try and make sure that this bathroom is spick and span before your chemo day.
During and after your chemo, you are highly susceptible to infection. Making sure that your kitchen and bathroom are clean before you go for chemo will help keep your risk of infection down.
If you can, try and do some batch cooking today. If you cook a few meals in advance like this, it can really help you. After chemo, you will be tired and probably feel nauseous. You will not want to cook so having a few meals in the freezer or fridge which you can easily reheat and eat will really help you keep your appetite and stay nourished. You could also avail of help here. If there is someone else in the house that can cook for you, or if you have a supporter who can drop you in pre-cooked meals, it really will make all the difference to you.
If anyone has offered to do some cooking for you – take them up on it!
Have your groceries delivered today.
This way your shelves will be stocked for you for the next week at least. You don’t want to have to think about food after chemo if you can help it. Just having the fridge and presses stocked can help minimise all extra food thoughts.
Change your bedsheets today! There is nothing better than climbing into fresh, clean sheets. It’s one of my all-time favourite things. When you get home from chemo, climbing into your fresh bed will feel so good. You need all the rest and comfort you can get in the next few days, so make your bed as clean and cosy as possible. I used to toss on a few extra pillows so that I felt ultra-luxurious climbing into bed.
Take a few minutes today to pack your chemo bag. It’s probably still packed from the last infusion visit but check it today. Make sure you’re fully stocked with snacks, chargers, headphones, books, notebooks, and anything else that you like to bring with you. Make sure to bring a list of medications and side effects with you tomorrow to discuss with your oncology team too.
You can download this Countdown To Chemo PDF that I have designed to accompany this post for free. Don't forget that if you subscribe you will receive free copies of other useful resources as they become available!
I hope this helps you get organised before your chemo infusions. I found it helpful for my mental state, to stay organised. It meant that when I was feeling my sickest, I didn’t have to think unnecessarily about food or prescriptions or running the house. And it also meant that when I started to feel a bit better and I was able to get up and about again, the house wasn’t in a complete heap, so I didn’t get overwhelmed.
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide.”
Brené Brown
If you have any other suggestions to include here, leave a comment or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.
]]>When you are going through Chemotherapy, you are highly susceptible to infection. You are strictly advised that if your temperature ever rises above 38 degrees Celsius, you need to phone in to alert your Oncology team.
If this happens, there is the possibility that you may need to be admitted to hospital quickly. Therefore, it’s good to have a hospital bag pre-packed and ready to grab.
The following items are good to include:
Once you have all of the above neatly packed into a small bag, if an emergency arises and you have to quickly attend A&E, all you have to do is grab your phone and this bag, and you’re out the door.
I purchased a small duffle bag and packed it with all of the items listed above. I found the second wallet such a great idea that I created a third wallet, specifically for my chemo infusion visits. This might sound like overkill, but for me, I found it so useful to only bring the smaller wallet with me to chemo. That way if I misplaced it while I was in the hospital (chemo brain is real people), I wouldn’t panic because my important cards were safely at home.
Finally, make sure that this bag is easily accessible and that someone in your household or support system knows where it is. No harm in letting a few people you trust know where it is. That way, in case there is an emergency where you are really unwell or just not thinking straight, someone else knows where this bag is. They can either grab it for you as you are leaving, or they can bring it to you if you are admitted to hospital.
I left my emergency hospital bag in a corner of a room just off my front door. I don’t like leaving anything right at the front door because I am so security conscious. But I drove my support bubble people crazy by constantly reminding them of its existence and location.
This tip gave me such peace of mind. I have designed this checklist which you can download and use. I hope it helps you!
Do you have any suggestions of things to include that I might not have thought of? Please share your ideas in the comment section or send me a message. I look forward to hearing from you.
]]>If yes to any of the above, then this website is for you. Read more to be introduced to The UpLift Kit.
]]>If you have been diagnosed with Cancer and are going through Chemotherapy, then this website is for you. If you are a supporter of someone going through Cancer or Chemotherapy, this website is also for you.
This website hosts a blog written by me, for you. The blog provides information and tips, for chemo patients and their supporters to reference as you navigate a cancer diagnosis and treatment journey.
When I was diagnosed and going through chemo, I struggled to find a practical, supportive and realistic blog to match my own experiences. I knew that as soon as I had completed my treatment and my energy returned, I was going to put an alternative blog out there for others like me. Somewhere to go to find honest, practical advice and support.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, but right now, you’re in the tunnel. And I understand that feeling.
I am hoping that we can build an online community here, where we can all share our experiences of Cancer and chemo in Ireland and exchange information and support. So please comment on the blog posts and share your ideas and personal experiences.
Connect and collaborate with me on the blog, the website, and social media. We’re all in this together and #connectioniskey. Through our collective efforts we can support each other to navigate a difficult journey.
The UpLift Kit is a small Irish business. This is a one-woman operation with limited means but big plans. It must start small and slow. But slow and steady wins the race, right?!
This website will offer a practical gifting service that will contribute to supporting cancer and chemo patients in Ireland. It can be so hard to know what to gift a chemo patient and while sending cards and flowers are great, it is my goal here to provide the additional option of gifting practical, tailored, thoughtful products which can really make a difference to a chemo patient’s every-day experience.
I am a former chemo patient, who knows the practical products required when going through treatment and who understands the experience of treatment first-hand. All the products available will be carefully and considerately chosen by me, for you.
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There once was a girl (a woman aged 38 who still thinks of herself as a girl) who was diagnosed with cancer in February 2020. She was told she would have to start Chemotherapy as soon as possible and cocoon from all family and friends.
She went through 5 months of intensive Chemotherapy followed by surgery, followed by three weeks of daily Radiotherapy, followed by more surgery, and she received infusions every three weeks throughout until March 2021. And she did all of this throughout the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland.
A few weeks after her Radiotherapy finished and after several different types of counselling and therapy, she began to start feeling like 'herself' again, but a new self.
Her new self didn't look at the world the same way and didn't know how she fit in to it anymore. Her old life was gone and she knew she had to find a new way of being in the world again.
She found that she now understood the meaning of life and her purpose.
She understood that the real, purest, purpose and meaning of life is just to live it! To be present to life in every moment, to appreciate every moment.
She believes there is purpose to life in trying to serve other people and that the meaning of life can be derived from that purpose.
Her purpose would be to try and help others to navigate a journey that she had travelled herself.
And so, she founded:
The UpLift Kit.
Photo by Waranont (Joe) on Unsplash
The UpLift Kit has been founded to try to help people on both sides of the difficulty fence; cancer and chemo patients and their supporters.
Its truest intention is to connect and uplift people through practical supports, so that everyone knows that you are not alone and there are options available to make the journey that little bit easier to navigate.
The girl will "believe it til she achieves it" (Chris Do).
This story doesn’t end here…
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