Question #1: When I am taking my chemotherapy drugs I feel so weak that it is hard to take a shower. What would make it easier?

     Taking a shower is one of the most underestimated things I know. Not only does it help you to feel refreshed, it can simply brighten your day. It is important to take a shower, and if you need some equipment in the shower to make it less difficult, then get the equipment but remember these simple rules:

     If you are going to use a stall shower, you need to sit to shower. The heat that is generated from the steam when you shower can actually weaken you, during the showering process and make it more difficult to breathe. A good shower seat should have a back, and have adjustable legs, to make it easy to get up and down from. If you can find a shower chair with arms, that is a comfortable fit, using the arms would help you get up and down as well.

     Use a hand held shower. They are easy to install by unscrewing the existing shower head and screwing on the new one. There are a few on the market that have a button on the handle that will allow you to turn the water flow off at the handle by pushing the button, while you lather up or wash your hair. It is a great feature that you will use more than you think.

Question #2:  How can I stop feeling negative when I feel badly?

I wish there was a magic wand that I could wave to make things better. The trick is that you need to start each day by reading positive messages. Keep a journal of your goals; what you are going to do when treatment is over and you can resume your life. Look forward to tomorrow and start developing some ideas of what you will be able to do with all that you are learning through your current experience.

Remember that experience is the best teacher. You may or may not have a specific skill that you learned in school, but what you are going through will make you an expert…and you can become a blessing to another person who will have to travel the same or a similar journey. Your experiences and how you overcame the rough times, will be invaluable insight to another person.

Believe that your life is just beginning a new chapter. It will be a chapter rich with experience and honestly learned life lessons. Never underestimate what you will be able to do for someone else.

Send us an email if we can help. Send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. xo Sally