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Cancer Support

In reply to the discussion: "Palliative chemo" [View all]

mercuryblues

(16,581 posts)
38. Been there, done that.
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 09:44 AM
Apr 2026

My advice. Do everything you Dr. tells you.

Chemo affects everyone differently. For me, the 1st week was absolutely rough. There is medication for that.

Keep track of your labs.if something is out of wack, adjust your diet to help combat that. Eat what you can, when you can. If you want cheeese and crackers for dinner, have cheese and crackers.

Friends will give you offers of help. Use it. Don't be afraid to ask.

Now for a bit of practical advice.

You will be taking a lot of medication's and appointments to keep track of. I I found it easier to have a big dry erase board. I drew a weekly calendar on it and had medication's listed for morning mid afternoon, noon and evening. Because at one point, I was taking about 30 medication's a day plus all your chemo and doctors appointments and labs. That way you can erase the medications that they take you off from add more new medication's they put you on and keep track of your appointments.

My second piece of advice is to call your insurance company and get coordinated with them about pharmacies you can use. For me it was a lot easier to use the pharmacy where I had my chemo done, but my insurance company would not pay the full rate for that until I called and asked for permission .

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

"Palliative chemo" [View all] Laurelin Apr 2026 OP
I'd listen to the first doc Skittles Apr 2026 #1
Thanks 😊 Laurelin Apr 2026 #2
happy to see you received some excellent replies Skittles Apr 2026 #45
I know! Laurelin Apr 2026 #47
Try grounding judesedit Apr 2026 #3
I had to Google grounding Laurelin Apr 2026 #6
I have no experience or advice but I wish you Scrivener7 Apr 2026 #4
Thank you so much! Laurelin Apr 2026 #5
Tell us how it went when you are done. Scrivener7 Apr 2026 #7
No doubt i will be back to whine some more, because DU is awesome Laurelin Apr 2026 #8
It's not whining. This is a major life event. Whatever support Scrivener7 Apr 2026 #12
💙 Laurelin Apr 2026 #21
Everyone reacts differently gerryatwork Apr 2026 #9
Truthful Delphinus Apr 2026 #11
Sending vibes for best possible outcome. Your DU family is here niyad Apr 2026 #15
Thank you! 😺 Laurelin Apr 2026 #24
Best wishes for your recovery!! Laurelin Apr 2026 #23
Thank you Delphinus Apr 11 #62
That's true Laurelin Apr 2026 #22
You are doing the right thing to ask for help and support. Irish_Dem Apr 2026 #10
Thank you! Laurelin Apr 2026 #25
Consider glutamine for mucositus. It really helped my husband--no sores. xuplate Apr 2026 #13
Good to know Laurelin Apr 2026 #28
Sending vibes for best possible outcome. Your DU family is here niyad Apr 2026 #14
Thank you. Laurelin Apr 2026 #29
Rocky and Bullwinkle Dear_Prudence Apr 2026 #16
I hadn't thought about funny tv shows Laurelin Apr 2026 #30
Laughter is the best medicine Lifeafter70 Apr 9 #51
Free to watch here: TommyT139 Apr 9 #55
Thank you! Laurelin Apr 9 #56
These are great! Sparkly Apr 12 #64
Here is a great place to start TommyT139 Apr 13 #65
It seems worth trying. I wish you well with it. Joinfortmill Apr 2026 #17
Thank you Laurelin Apr 2026 #31
Me too, my friend. Joinfortmill Apr 2026 #34
Three little tips that worked for me: Auggie Apr 2026 #18
Thank you for the advice! Laurelin Apr 2026 #32
Tips NewEnglandAutumn Apr 2026 #19
Thank you! Laurelin Apr 2026 #33
Medical Marijuana! Maraya1969 Apr 2026 #20
I need the right strain? Laurelin Apr 2026 #35
In my dispensary there are 3, Sativa, Hybrid and Indica. I just ask for the one that is lowest Maraya1969 Apr 2026 #36
Thanks, that's good to know. Laurelin Apr 2026 #37
it may take a few rounds of chemo to get the drugs right rampartd Apr 2026 #26
Thank you for your advice Laurelin Apr 2026 #39
mine came out, in clumps, in the shower rampartd Apr 2026 #42
Thanks Laurelin Apr 2026 #43
Hi Laurelin, Diamond_Dog Apr 2026 #27
Thank you for thoughts and vibes! Laurelin Apr 2026 #40
Been there, done that. mercuryblues Apr 2026 #38
Thank you! Laurelin Apr 2026 #41
Wow. Bookmarking. If not for me, then for someone I care for. Scrivener7 Apr 2026 #44
I hope not for you! Laurelin Apr 2026 #46
Laurelin, how did it go? Scrivener7 Apr 8 #48
It's still ongoing Laurelin Apr 9 #49
That's brutal. My heart is with you. Scrivener7 Apr 9 #58
Listen to your first doc Lifeafter70 Apr 9 #50
Thank you Laurelin Apr 9 #53
No tips but a hat tip to the first doctor. There is always the hope that there is a LoisB Apr 9 #52
Thank you Laurelin Apr 9 #54
Sending you hugs Loisita123 Apr 9 #57
Thank you! Laurelin Apr 9 #59
Just dropping in to send you Lifeafter70 Apr 10 #60
Thank you! 💙 Laurelin Apr 11 #61
Hi, Laurelin!! Sparkly Apr 12 #63
Thank you, Sparkly! Laurelin Jun 8 #66
Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Cancer Support»"Palliative chemo"»Reply #38