At Ronald McDonald House, Leigha (who was in charge of family programming) was compiling a book of tips from kids with cancer on dealing with chemo, for newbies. I thought I'd share Thomas' list:
- Keep yourself busy
- Have lots of video games handy
- Have something to do while waiting: you’re going to do a LOT of waiting
- Encourage as many people to visit as possible, it really helps to pass the time
- Take the nurses’ advice: they’ve seen just about everything and have lots of good ideas on how to make things easier on you
- Shave your hair off as soon as it starts to fall out – it’s just plain messy
- Try to have as much FUN as humanly possible
- No matter how much things suck, remember to be polite to the nurses, doctors AND your parents (being grouchy to them does not help!)
- Pain and puking are not necessary. If you are offered medication to make either condition better, TAKE THEM! (some drugs ARE good!)
- Eat whatever you feel like: this is one time in your life when that’s ok, as long as you can eat something!
- Always try to have a friend or family member with you who can pay attention and remember important information from the docs or nurses
- Always tell the nurses EVERYTHING: a small physical symptom could be the beginning of a negative reaction to a drug or chemo. This is no time to be shy!
- Chemo sucks, but its not the fault of the people giving it to you – try not to take it out on them!
- The faster you get through treatment, the sooner you will be in remission – so even though sometimes it seems like a long grind in the middle of treatment, stay focused on the end result and just keep pushing through!
- Make as many jokes as possible
- Most importantly, get a signature hat!
