What activities and hobby do you do during chemo

What a wonderful DH. I did cross stitch. Nothing physical about it. The plan was to make Christmas presents, but ...

I turned to my art. I did quite a few sculptures in polymer clay (look for the "Creative Cottage" thread on the Depression board).

My mind wasn't working well enough to do much, not even to read, but the little sculptures kept me sane. And productive, most of them sold.

I was totally and completely wiped out by chemo. The fatigue was so crushing that just getting up from a chair, the toilet seat or the couch made me feel like I had run up a flight of stairs. My brain was so fogged I couldn't hold a train of thought for more than five minutes at a time. So, I spent 80% of my waking hours lying on the couch watching Star Trek videos and movies. Housework my ass. When the kitchen sink filled up with dishes (which would take about a week since I live by myself and wasn't exactly overeating during chemo!) I'd get around to doing the dishes, and I took out the garbage once a week, but nothing else. 

As for that 20% of the time I wasn't lying on the couch watching videos, about 10% I was crying my eyes out because I was so depressed and frustrated. The other 10% was TRYING to do what I enjoyed, and wasn't too successful. It was a major effort to read my email and forums, and maybe answer an email OR write a forum post (I couldn't do BOTH in the same day).  I also tried, but couldn't, play my computer game for more than 5-10 minutes at a time because THAT was too much for me (pre-chemo I used to routinely play that game for hours at a time).  And reading, which I also love -- I tried but nothing would stick. If I put the book down because I had to rest, or get a cup of tea or something, I'd have to re-read a couple of pages prior to the bookmark to mentally find out where I was....So it was just easier for me to lay on the couch watching video because the chemo brain was too frustrating for me to deal with and I'd be back on a crying jag.

I am NEVER going to do that again! 

My onc told me I should do the normal things I do. So even if I had to crawl out the door I got myself out and about. I managed that everyday, particularly walking in the woods. Hiking and skiing were also on the agenda on weekends. At night I watched Monk on DVDs or went out with friends. I had family flying in at various times, so that kept me busy. My onc got to meet all my siblings. Plus having a liitle one is mercifully distracting.

Yep, it's advertising Sherri.  Edited?  Lol, heck, I reported it.  What's with the edited feature?? 

I reported Rystofersmith's post as SPAM, and apparently my "report" was the final straw, but not sure why it show's me as editing it! 

Anyway Healthy_Future, I'd say take your cues from your wife herself.  If she feels like doing nothing, then indulge her.  If she feels like taking a walk or exercising, encourage her.  If she wants to cry, comfort her and/or cry with her.  In short, just be there for her. Invite here to come here too. 

It's great that you're so supportive of her!  I often think it's harder for the family and loved ones,so take good care of yourself too!  Best of luck!~

I have been doing things that a busy life kept me from accomplishing before.

I have cleaned out and re-organized every closet, drawer, dresser, shelf in the house.  Gotten rid of SO MUCH furniture and clothing I can't even tell you.

My concentration isn't great so reading long novels is out...but I do read lots of magazines including home improvement.

I've mapped out several home improvement projects, as well as modifying/re-landscaping plans for my yard this spring.

I've touched up trim work, painted, cleaned the carpets, re-grouted the tub tile, etc.

On days when I am tired I take a walk and do something like cut coupons and make lists of things I need to do when I start feeling back on my game.

I think moving, a lot, is key to having minimal SE with chemo.  At least that's my experience.

HF-

Sometimes, in the beginning, things can seem overwhelming. 

Here's hoping she will respond well to treatment, so she can get on with the rest of her life.

Good luck!

Healthy _future

Week 2 and 3 do progressively get better at least for my wife she is on week 2 of second treatment now. Maybe check with her onc, nausea had my wife down the first few days with first treatment which I guess is normal. Dr. switched her from prochlorperazine to zofram. That made a big difference her stomach improved drastically she got her appetite back and that in itself helped her attitude towards treatment. This time She had hardly any complaints of nausea

Healthyfuture- Glad you came here for help for your lady. you seem like a great Dh and sounds like you are doing all the right things for her, coming here lets us know that you care, and want to do all the right things.As you can see you have such wonderful advice and so many different situations from so many different woman, we are all dx with BC, but are all different with our cancers but yet the same. We all respond differently to chemo, I myself had a lot of pain especially with the nuelesta shots, not the shot itself but the SE afterwards, I couldnt get out of bed untill i had my next chemo which right before i had to take steroids and all I wanted to do was clean the house for 3 days and felt pretty good, then after shots felt crappy for a few days too, but it was all doable and we all get though it, my most important advice to you would be just let her know you are there for her and let her know how much you love her, which seems to me like you are already doing, get some one if you arnt able, to help with the housework, like cleaning, cooking, running errands, just things that seem unbarable to her at the time. She also needs time, love and compassion through all this to help her get through it all. We are all here for you, please keep us posted, Im keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

big hugs,

Debbie

I just had my second infusion 6 days ago.  My oncologist asked me if I was an active person, and I told him yes.  I walk a half hour a day, do yoga several days a week, and I also horseback ride several hours a week.  He suggested that staying active will be a big part of my recovery, and will help me maintain a good attitude.  I still walk every day, and horseback ride on pretty days.  My husband takes me to the park when the weather is nice so we can walk together.  Socializing with friends is also important, even if it's on the phone.

Your wife probably won't feel like starting a new physical routine while on chemo, but a nice walk on pretty days might help.

Also, the oncology nurse told me on days when I have no appetite, to eat 6 or 7 very tiny meals or snacks a day, and my stomach would do better.  This advice has helped me a great deal.

I also enjoy watching funny tv show and movies, as well a meditation.

healthy_future  - chemo is hard, very hard, both mentally and physcially.  The steriods they give you to offset SE's from the chemo are hard, as well as the chemo.  I can remember during the AC portion of my treatment, not eating much because I had mouth sores and just felt terrible.  Chemo is cumilative and you and your wife will soon begin to notice a pattern of the good and bad days.  She can rest on the bad days, with you by her side and on the good days, take her for a ride, go to a movie, lunch, walk in the park. 

You sound like a wonderful husband who loves his wife very much.  (((hugs))) to both of you.