Ahead of next cancer treatment #glennthecancerwaarrior , colon collorectal cancer BRAF information for patients, public and broader awareness. My cancer journey as a stage 4 terminal BRAF sufferer- glennthecancerwarrior

; Ahead of next cancer treatment #glennthecancerwaarrior , colon collorectal cancer BRAF information for patients, public and broader awareness. My cancer journey as a stage 4 terminal BRAF sufferer- glennthecancerwarrior
Well done you've cracked the first treatment cycle. Here's some things to think about to help with the next cycle which for most is set 4 weeks or 2 weeks time from the first

Preparing for your next treatment cycle

From a timeline perspective it's prepparing for your next treatment cycle but also starting to get into place longer term things to help and support you.

Refer to notes ahead of the session. On what to prep for the treatment day
GP referral I found sleep started to be affected with anxiety. I did take a GP referral for sleeping pills. This helped but better and additional help IMO was other self help such as
Online CBT. For hitting the reset button I found making bread at 2am quite good!
Seeing some early morning light and evening light per your circadian rhythm
Sleep meditation recordings
Good sleep hygiene.
- Eating 3 hrs before bed.
- Coming off of screens atleast 1hr before bed
- Avoid exercise before bedtime
- Covering blue lights charger lights in bedroom or turning off appliances
- Having a wind down routine . May include reading, gentle yoga, massage etc...
- Start getting into place treatment and well being supports. Ie
- Good moisturising cream. You should get some from health team but may want other types. I found udderly very good
- Exercise like walking, indoor biking, swimming (if allowed not wearing a pic line) rebounder etc...
- Picc line supportsIf wearing a pic line I found a shower cover very useful

Items to help wth treatment, caner and the side effects

Ok here are some of the things I bought to help me that I found helped me / worked better than others. I've noted some constraints downsides but for some like the PICC line cover it looked the same everywhere. I've included links to where I bought but they may be available elsewhere. I've included pics where we possible for illustration.

10kg good quality Epsom salt Having a regular salt bath I found was very relaxing and good regards to health properties. I'd suggest getting atleast 5kg as a few hundred grams won't last very long. better quality salts tend to be coarser. Price at the time £21.99
Udderly Smooth cream Skin will usually get very dry with treatment and a risk will be dryness related cuts etc... In addition to what I was supplied by my health team I needed some additional stock. I tried alot and found this one to be very good. My go to day cream. Quick, soothing and easy to apply Price at the time £15.99 for 1 pot
Very strong hemp cream I found there were times where I needed a stronger working moisturising cream. This one seemed effective a reducing alot of redness and dryness. only drawback is the smell of it is very strong. Price at the time £30
Queasy drops Difficult to say how effective these were but they tasted good and did seem to sooth me Price at the time £9.50
Limbo PICC line protector Vs others this seemed reasonably good value and functioned well for when washing / in the shower. It won't be fully water proof but worked well and put my mind at rest, I got worried even when washing my face etc.. for getting the PICC line wet. Price at the time £19
Pill protector I found it useful as in addition to treatment pills there were alot of meds. This allows them to be batched up ahead of taking them Price at the time £8.99
Portable USB chargeable fans I can get quite hot at times and these gave good output for the small size Price at the time £15.99 for 2
Meat thermometer I was very worried about infections from under cooked food. This meat thermometer was relatively cheap. Price at the time £19.99
Heart rate monitor I found having one useful and this functionaed well. I liked to understand my heart rate which varied alot through treatment . i.e. was it de-coupling over time, was avg alot higher etc... Price at the time £27
Quick charge hand warmer This one seemed to function well and last a long time Price at the time £32
Meat thermometer I was very worried about infections from under cooked food. This meat thermometer was relatively cheap. Price at the time £19.99

Upon Diagnosis into Living with Cancer

1 Upon diagnosis - Things to do once you've have your diagnosis
2 After diagnosis - Things to do in the first week or so following diagnosis
3 Before the next cancer treatment cycle - What you may want to do ahead of the next cancer treatment cycle
4 Managing treatment and Surgeries -Things to help the effects of these
5 Living with cancer -Into the future and living with cancer

#glennthecancerwarrior -terminal BRAF MSS

After Diagnosis - Ahead of next cancer treatment cycle

Preparing for your next treatment cycle

Items to help wth treatment, caner and the side effects

Upon Diagnosis into Living with Cancer