Today, is Crashli day. Mondays post-chemo are my days where I am totally crashed out and so, of course, I’ve alter ego’d myself to be named Crashli for the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday — at least — are the days that are my “low days”. Again, it’s not a mental lowness — like a sadness — it’s just a complete fatigue {think three weeks post-partum+drank all night+stayed up until 4 am+and are no longer 22}. I can barely open my eyes on the Monday following chemo {so this is actually being typed on Sunday;)}. In fact, Over the next couple of days, the extent of me leaving the house will be to receive IV fluids {which I would add to this already extensive list… along with comfy pants, soft hats, and of course, slippers}. But I have some things that seem to help me in the three-week-cycle following chemo treatments.
So, here’s a little listy for you. If you know someone going through chemo, these are great ideas for a gift basket. And if you are someone going through chemo, I’d love to hear what’s in your post-chemo survival kit. Honestly, it was almost impossible for me to stop at 20… because brevity = not my thing, gosh darn it. I’ll work on that. In 20 years or so.
::A few of my Favorite {Post-Chemo} things::
1. Water Jug ::
Water is essential post-chemo. Essential. You need to flush your system, stay hydrated, and push the chemo through your body with the fluids. A water jug and a bag a lemons will pretty much be the best thing for the first three days to a week post-chemo treatments to keep your system happy.
2. Hot Tea ::
I love coffee but by four to six days out from chemo, your tastebuds start to die and everything starts to have a metallic taste. This loose-leaf tea is Vanilla Rooibos from the Tea Smith and I am excited to stir in some honey and enjoy a cozy cup in place of my normal coffee choice.
This is not essential, in any way, shape, or form, but people are curious how I have such “radiance” during treatment and this little ditty is the answer. I put a little on my cheeks, my eyelids, my chin, forehead, and down the center of my nose and it brightens up my face and brings some life back to my washed-out post-chemo coloring.
In the same vein of the coffee remark, chemo messes with your mouth’s chi so switching up toothpaste can be quite helpful in keeping additional mouth sores at bay. Another patient gifted me Prevident and it’s been my go-to.
5. Zofran ::
The antiemetic options for chemo patients these days are amazing. And Zofran is my go-to to keep nausea and such at a minimum. And thank goodness my dear friend is also my pharma-gal because she switched me to the quick-dissolve tablets in order to reduce the amount of time from ingesting to kicking in and making the tumultuous tum tum go away. {This is available by prescription only}
6. Funny Mug ::
I love mugs. I love big mugs. And mugs with character. And I really dig this one from That’s All Gifts that says it like it is, some days — Cancer Sucks. That’s All. I put my tea and coffee in it and it gives me a good giggle.
When I was diagnosed, I got two copies of the Jesus Calling daily devotional book and I love this for my current lifestyle. Even when I can barely keep my eyes open, I can still digest the small bit of daily scripture and positive affirmation it offers. And every day, it reminds me to be present in the very day I’m in. Do not worry about tomorrow. Live for today.
We have a lot of hand sanis on hand {hee hee} right now because keeping germies away is key when your blood cell counts are crashing and you happen to live with three little carrier monkeys. I love this Honest Co. spray because I stick it in my purse and take it with me everywhere. Additionally, I love that it doesn’t seem to have alcohol so it doesn’t dry out my hands or the carrier monkeys.
Swish and spit. On the first round of chemo, my Survivor girl, Jenna, told me, “baking. soda. rinse” and I sort of forgot about her advice and ended up with a shitton of mouth sores. On the second round, I began the regimen of swishing and spitting baking soda mixed with warm water anywhere from 5-10 times a day and it makes a huge difference.
I had never owned any essential oils prior to chemo but a friend gifted me the Wild Orange which is excellent for immunity. You can rub it on your skin, put it in your bath… but my fave is to put it in my tea or water {because Do Terra is ingestible-grade}. Subsequently, I have also purchased the Breathe done by the same company. Also, my friend Jen is a seller if you are looking to purchase.
My sister-in-law sent this to me post diagnosis and it has been my go-to pencil as my eyebrows have started to thin. It does stay on all day and having been an eyebrow-pencil-virgin, it feels nearly impossible to mess it up.
12. MacBook ::
A computer, a phone, a book, a magazine, and some good tunes on the Sonos speaker. Because even though TV is good… it gets old. And my computer and phone keep me as connected as I can be so I feel less isolated — even if it feels impossible to respond on Crashli days.
Okay, I know. This is weird. But I had been using some free Mary Kay daytime hand cream and it was working like a gem for the most part to keep my hands from cracking up. But then, one of my “trusted advisors”;) gifted me this Ava Anderson cream. It can be used on ANYTHING. Not just diaper rash. And it’s all-natural for real. I put it on the babe’s butt, the Middlest dry face, and now, my post-chemo hands. Works like a charm.
14. Matzah Ball Soup ::
Oh, the magic of the Matzah Balls. I’d never tried the soup prior to being diagnosed but my friend, Melissa, started bringing me her Jewish Penicillin {her words, not mine} right away and after my counts crashed the first time, it was the ONLY thing I could stomach. But really, ALLLL the meals have been life-saving. Life. Saving. Because the week post chemo, mama can’t cook AT ALL.
15. Mary Kay Emollient Cream ::
Disclaimer: This stuff smells like your grandma got into bed with you. It will also stain anything it touches. But. It works at night. It does. I put on the Ava Anderson cream, cover it with the emollient cream, and put on cotton night-gloves atop and wear them all night. Unless I get crazy and they end up in the bed, on the floor, or wherever my dreams take me.
The same sister-in-law who sent the Stila also sent the Epsom Salt. And I am now on my second bag. Because baths are my love language. And post-chemo, when you’re achy from your neulasta shot and your bones ache on the inside, a warm bath, epsom salt, and a glass of wine are the way to go.
17. Positive notes and affirmations ::
I keep the cards, bracelets, and positive thoughts surrounding me at all times. The one pictured here in the frame sits by my bed and my now 6 year old gave it to me a year ago. It reads: Wen you are upside-down God turns you around.
A friend and my resident aesthetician, Joy, came over to see me shortly after diagnosis and said, “I don’t cook but I do know skin”. She gifted me a whole slew of Image Vital C products and they’ve kept my face free of major steroid breakouts as well as kept me from getting too dry. I use the face wash, the night lotion, the eye lotion, and sometimes, more. Swear by them through this crazy chemo time.
It doesn’t have to be Burt’s Bees. But it has to be a legit chapstick or lip balm option. I have about 10 go-to’s right now. Because dry lips are no fun. And yet, easy to avoid.
A. Must. And I have about 7 I cycle between. And leave them all over the house. Because you wanna feel cozy post-chemo. And comfy blankets will do it.
So, there’s my list, friends. A few of my fave post-chemo things. And as you’ll notice, most came via friends — it’s that whole goodness thing again, people.
+None of the products I shared were given to me in exchange for this blog post. There was no payment received in return for my kind and glowing remarks. If you are a brand or business that is interested in being reviewed, collaborating, having a sponsored post, or otherwise, you may contact me at babyonthebrehm@gmail.com. I’d love to chat!
