Britta’s Book at a Glance: Chapter 7, Solutions for a Body Under Stress
Though we’ve seen many improvements in cancer treatments over the years, one thing remains true—they’re hard on your body. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells, but it also kills other fast-growing cells in your body, like those in your mouth, digestive system, and immune system. Radiation is hard on your skin and some internal organs. Surgeries can require months of recovery.
In chapter 7 of my book, When Cancer Hits, I help you understand how these treatments affect different parts of your body, and what you can do to help soothe and comfort those areas.
Create Loving Energy
One thing most people are not used to doing is being slow and gentle with themselves. During cancer treatments, your body is crying out for your loving attention. I show you how to deal with fear and replace it with love instead.
Change Bathing and Showering Habits
If you continue to hurry through your morning shower, your skin and nails will suffer. Instead, I give you tips for creating a new bathing and showering routine that will be kinder to your skin, and may help you avoid itching and scratching all day long.
Dealing with Side Effects
Nausea, radiation burns, bruising, dermatitis, injection site wounds, metal taste, dry mouth, mouth sores, itchy eyes, night sweats, fatigue, joint pain, and more—this chapter covers them all. For example, did you know that your regular toothpaste could be making your mouth sores worse? Or that your eyes could benefit from hydrating goggles you can wear at night? Find more tips like these in this chapter. There’s always something you can do to help yourself feel better!
Redirecting Your Thoughts
Do you find yourself overwhelmed sometimes with uncomfortable side effects? Does it seem as if it all is never going to end? I share with you some ways to deal with the emotions that come up as your body struggles to heal itself. You may feel like treatments will never end, but they will, and in the meantime, it helps to set goals for yourself that refocus your mind and help you keep the faith.
Caring for your body while you’re going through cancer is one of the best things you can do for yourself. In chapter 7, I help you find ways to soothe the hurts at home, while giving you tools to help handle the emotional challenges as well. The more you can ease the pain and encourage yourself, the more you’re helping your body to get well.
(When Cancer Hits is available now—click here.)
Have you experienced difficult side effects because of cancer treatments? Please share your tips for recovery.
