by Bag It Team | Dec 9, 2024 | Educational Articles
The holiday season can be exhausting for anyone, but cancer-related fatigue is a unique challenge. This type of fatigue goes beyond ordinary tiredness. It’s a deep, persistent fatigue or exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep, often leaving you feeling unable to carry out your usual activities.
Cancer-related fatigue is a very common issue and can result from several factors, including:
- The cancer itself or other medical conditions.
- Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, and their side effects.
- Medications you’re taking.
- Changes in blood counts.
- Lifestyle factors, such as sleep disruptions, poor nutrition, or inadequate hydration.
- Emotional or mental health struggles, which fatigue can worsen.
You Don’t Have to Endure It Alone
Share your symptoms with your healthcare team so they can identify possible causes and suggest medical and non-medical treatments to help you.
Let loved ones know how you’re feeling—they often want to help but may not know how. Work together to adjust holiday traditions—whether it’s scaling back on celebrations, delegating or sharing tasks like decorating or cooking, or simplifying shopping. Focus on the activities that matter most to you and bring joy.
And yes, naps are absolutely allowed!
Self-Care Strategies for Cancer-Related Fatigue
These tips can help manage fatigue during the holidays and beyond:
- Set priorities. Choose manageable goals, establish routines, and let go of less important tasks. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
- Balance activity and rest. While conserving energy is essential, staying physically active—even with gentle movement—can boost energy. Ask your healthcare team about safe exercise options.
- Take breaks. Schedule rest or relaxation time during the day, and don’t wait until you’re overtired.
- Improve sleep quality. Follow a bedtime routine to support better rest at night.
- Eat well and stay hydrated. Aim for a balanced diet. Meeting with a registered dietitian or nutritionist can help you to manage treatment side effects, maintain energy, address weight changes, and create tailored meal plans to support overall health and recovery.
- Care for your emotional health. Spend time with people who uplift you, and communicate your feelings—whether happy, sad, or tired. Alternatively, if you need solitude, it’s okay to set boundaries. You decide what feels right.
- Explore complementary therapies. Discuss with your healthcare provider options like acupuncture, massage, yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki, or stress-reduction techniques, which may help with fatigue or stress.
With thoughtful planning and support, it’s possible to navigate the holidays in a way that prioritizes your well-being and still allows you to enjoy what’s meaningful.
by Bag It Team | Oct 5, 2024 | Educational Articles
Taking prescriptions as directed is crucial to getting the most benefit from your medication while keeping yourself safe. To help your healthcare providers prescribe the right medications, it’s important to share a full list of everything you’re taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, supplements and herbs. Many supplements and over the counter medicines can interact with prescription drugs, so being forthcoming with this information is key. Also, make sure to mention any allergies.
The first step in properly using your prescriptions is understanding them. When your healthcare provider prescribes a medication, here are some essential questions to ask if the information isn’t immediately shared:
- What is the name of the medication? Get both the brand and generic names and confirm which one you’re being prescribed.
- What is the medication for? Understand the purpose of the medication and the risks of not taking it as prescribed.
- What is the correct dosage and schedule? Ask when and how often to take it, and whether it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
- How long will it take to work, and how can you tell if it’s effective? Know the expected timeline for results and what to do if it doesn’t seem to work.
- Are there any interactions or restrictions while taking the medication? This includes certain foods, beverages, other medications, or activities you should avoid.
- What if you miss a dose or accidentally take too much? Find out how to handle missed doses and whether refills are necessary.
- What side effects should you watch for? Both physical and mental side effects can occur, so know what to expect and how to manage them.
- Are there specific storage or handling instructions? Some medications need refrigeration, while others should be stored at room temperature or in a certain location in your home.
Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Medications
- Try to incorporate your medication routine into daily habits, like taking them with meals or at bedtime.
- Use technology, such as an alarm or a medication reminder app on your phone, to notify you when it’s time for your next dose.
- Consider asking a family member or caregiver to help remind you, especially for important medications.
- Organizing your medications into a pill organizer or separate containers for each day can make it easier to track what you’ve taken. Some pill organizers even come with built-in timers for added convenience.
Tips for Taking Medication
- Fill all prescriptions as instructed by your healthcare provider and be sure to follow the directions carefully. Complete the full course of medication unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Never stop or change how you used medications to avoid potential safety risks.
- Use the patient forms in Section 1 of My Companion Guidebook (part of all Bag It Bags) to keep a detailed list of your current and past medications. Bring these lists to your doctor appointments and share them with your healthcare provider.
- Track your daily medication routine with customizable log forms in Section 2 of My Companion Guidebook (part of all Bag It Bags) to help you stay organized.
- It’s important to periodically review your medications with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, especially if you’re taking multiple prescriptions. This can help identify duplicate or unnecessary medications, or risky drug interactions.
- If you’re having trouble affording your prescription medications, Section 5 (Resources) of My Companion Guidebook (part of all Bag It Bags) lists organizations that may be able to help with financial support.
To see all of the helpful forms in the Bag It Bags, visit our Patient Page. You will also see a link to the forms in Spanish just under the Patients Forms heading.
by Bag It Team | Jul 29, 2024 | Educational Articles
Tips for Keeping You and Your Pet Healthy During Cancer Treatment
The “dog days of summer” remind us of the warmth and joy that pets bring into our lives, especially during tough times like a cancer diagnosis. Their companionship and unconditional love can brighten even the hottest, most challenging days. Many people consider their pets part of the family and rely on them for emotional support during difficult periods.
Studies show that pets can significantly improve mental well-being. Many cancer centers and hospitals recognize this and offer pet therapy programs. These programs include visits to clinics, support groups and even home visits for patients. Our furry friends can lift our moods, lower stress, create a calming effect, reduce pain and have a positive impact on our overall health.
During cancer treatment, your well-being and your pet’s well-being begins with effective communication.
It’s important to know that while you can’t give your pet cancer, having a pet can increase your risk of infection, especially if your immune system is compromised. Before starting cancer treatment, inform your doctor about your pet and how important they are to you. Discuss how your ability to care for your pet might be affected by the treatment and any potential side effects. Your doctor will provide personalized advice based on your type of cancer, specific treatments and the type of pet you have.
Precautions may vary, especially with pets like reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and birds, which can carry a higher risk of infection such as salmonella. Guidelines may include limitations on your involvement with your pet such as avoiding contact with their bodily fluids and waste, preventing scratches and possibly even limiting petting them.
Additionally, it’s crucial to keep potentially harmful cancer medications and related items out of your pet’s reach.
You may also want to consult your pet’s veterinarian to ensure your pet remains healthy during this time. Ask about essential steps, including proper grooming, keeping up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations and medications, and any necessary veterinary care.
Here are some tools and resources to help you take care of your pet during cancer:
My Cancer Circle – an online tool that helps organize the community of people who want to help you with your pet
CancerCare’s Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program features:
- Helpline
- Searchable online database to help people affected by cancer find low-cost or free pet care services
- Downloadable booklet: Planning for Your Pet’s Future Care A Guide to Caring for Your Beloved Pet After You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cancer
by Bag It Team | May 7, 2024 | Educational Articles
May marks Women’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique health needs of women. The demands of work and family, among other barriers, can greatly affect many women’s abilities to take care of their own health. This month’s spotlight on women serves as a gentle reminder for them to prioritize their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Consider the “whole” you, with these practical tips:
- Make good food and drink choices – avoid processed foods and sugar; focus on fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein
- Stay active – Exercise or do other physical activity you enjoy, and often
- Get preventive healthcare – have regular checkups and screenings recommended by your doctor
- Foster emotional well-being – cultivate resilience, practice self-care, nurture healthy relationships, and find balance in your daily life
Remember to “mind your mind” by tending to your mental health just as you would care for your physical health.
Research shows that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lower your risk of many different health conditions, including cancer. Bag It Cancer recognizes the importance of having trustworthy resources specifically for women’s cancers. That’s why we collaborated with national women’s cancer nonprofits to create two Bag It Bags for metastatic breast and uterine cancers. Each bag has introductory information about these specific cancer types and the supportive resources offered by our partners. Order a Bag for yourself or a loved one.
Resources for Women’s Health
Know Your Rights: Reproductive Health Care from the Office on Women’s Health Women’s
Women’ Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Office of Research on Women’s Health
by Bag It Team | Feb 10, 2024 | Educational Articles
Many of us know that making healthy lifestyle choices and getting recommended vaccines can help lower the risk or EVEN prevent some kinds of cancer.
Cancer screenings, which are also cancer prevention strategies, check your body for cancer, even if you have no signs or symptoms. There are different kinds of screenings including:
- A physical exam and personal history
- Lab tests
- Imaging tests
- Genetic tests (these tests look for changes in the genes that may indicate that a person has or is at risk of having a particular disease or condition).
Routine screening tests can help to find breast, cervical, colorectal (colon), and other cancers early, when they may be easier to treat or cure. Many expert organizations provide guidelines for different screenings, but it’s important to talk with your doctor about your personal situation. There are benefits and risks for most screenings, and certain tests may be recommended only for people who are considered high risk for a particular cancer. Together you and your healthcare provider can decide which screenings are appropriate for you.
Remember! When your doctor recommends a screening test for you, it does not necessarily mean they believe you have cancer. Screening tests are used in people with average risk and no symptoms of cancer. Usually these tests, if abnormal, require additional testing to definitively diagnose cancer. If you have symptoms or increased risk based on your personal or family history, you may need to start screening at an earlier age than is typically recommended or may need specialized testing.
Questions to ask your doctor about cancer screenings
- Are any cancer screening tests recommended for me? Which ones?
- Can we talk about the test’s potential risks compared to its benefits?
- When should I start getting cancer screenings? And how often?
- What is the purpose of the test?
- What happens during the test?
- How long does it take to get test results?
- What happens if the results are not normal?
Screening & Prevention Resources
Centers for Disease Prevention & Control, How to Prevent Cancer or Find It Early: Screening
National Cancer Institute, Cancer Screening
Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Screenings and Prevention
American Cancer Society, hundreds of articles on screening and prevention
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