As a cancer patient, the only silver lining that I can
currently think of during a global pandemic is that our oncology team has
prepared us so very well.
When you have been diagnosed with cancer, a lot of things
change. Your schedule gets all kind of crazy and you are put into a situation
in which you are fighting for your life every single day. Not all cancer
patients have the same treatment routine, but I have found that almost all
cancer patients have been told to follow some of the same guidelines to keep
their fragile immune system from falling apart. These guidelines coincide with keeping
healthy during the global pandemic as well.
We are told that we should Social Distance yourself when we are
first diagnosed with cancer. Because our immune system is very weak our bodies are
using all its might to fight off the cancer cells. Even the smallest of colds
could be land us in the hospital. Oncology teams usually suggest that when you
are starting treatment you stay away from family and friends (especially if
they are sick) for your own safety. Usually this will continue throughout all
your treatment until your counts normalize.
Next is wearing a mask. During your cancer diagnosis is
vital to try and stay as healthy as possible. Wearing a mask can help prevent
the germs of others from getting to you. If your immune system is compromised,
wearing a mask may be one the best ways to prevent catching an illness.
Washing your hands is super important also. We are taught
from an early age that washing your hands helps kill germs and that is true. By
washing your hands for at least 20 seconds you can kill up to 99% of germs off
your hands. If you take a second to stop and think about all of the surfaces
that you touch with your hands, and the different germs that can be present on
those surfaces, it can be vital to your health to make sure your hands are
washed.
My oncology team also suggested to avoid public spaces. As a
cancer patient I think this was one of the hardest things for me to follow. I
love going to the mall and just strolling around. However, in public spaces there
are many uncertainties. You do not know if people are sick or not, or what
types of germs they are carrying. Some individuals may not have any signs or
symptoms of being sick, but they can carry germs to others and infect them. It
is just not safe.
Maintaining a healthy diet is another important thing you
can do for your health. There are many foods that are highly processed, packed
with sugar and coated with germs from people touching them. Whether you shop
for yourself of order from a delivery service, it is important to choose foods
that will help your immune system. Some foods I added to my diet with the
suggestion of my nutritionist were berries, turmeric, ginger, fresh vegetables,
wheatgrass, pumpkin seeds, and pineapple. There are many guides online or at
your hospitals nutritionist’s office that you can find to help you. Remember, before
eating any fresh produce make sure to wash it thoroughly.
We, as cancer patients, are lucky to have amazing oncology
teams that support us and share life saving tips with us. Although there is a
lot of stress and anxiety going on during this time, I hope this article can give
you a little bit of hope in knowing you are doing all the right things to stay
as healthy as possible.
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