Managing IBC Treatment Symptoms and Side Effects

• Fatigue:
  • Conserve Your Energy: Plan your day around peak energy times, take breaks when needed, and focus on tasks that matter most.
  • Prioritize Rest: Stick to a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and avoid stimulants like caffeine in the evening.
  • Stay Active: Engage in light exercise, such as walking or gentle yoga, to help boost your energy. You can follow gentle exercise routines available through the American Cancer Society.

• Resources: 

  • Download our Gentle Exercise Guide for IBC Patients
  • Download the Cancer Care Ontario’s guide on managing cancer-related fatigue. https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:71c528e7-ca7a-49fd-8b28-61e22655f3bc
  • Take Wellspring’s 4 week Cancer Related Fatigue Program https://portal.wellspring.ca/service/a1dON000000vGpdYAE/cancer-related-fatigue

• Manage Your Pain: Use over-the-counter pain relievers, follow your prescribed medication regimen, and explore options like physical therapy or acupuncture.
• Track Your Pain: Keep a pain diary to help your healthcare team understand and address your symptoms effectively.
• Resources: Download our pain management tracking sheet. Coming Soon!

Download the Pain Diary tracking tool from the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/cancer-control/en/worksheets/pain-diary.pdf

• Manage Your Pain: Use over-the-counter pain relievers, follow your prescribed medication regimen, and explore options like physical therapy or acupuncture.
• Track Your Pain: Keep a pain diary to help your healthcare team understand and address your symptoms effectively.
• Resources: Download our pain management tracking sheet. Coming Soon!

Download the Pain Diary tracking tool from the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/cancer-control/en/worksheets/pain-diary.pdf

• Prevent Lymphedema: Avoid heavy lifting, wear compression garments, and perform prescribed exercises regularly.
• Watch for Early Signs: Look out for swelling, heaviness, or tightness in your arm or hand, and report these to your healthcare provider right away.
• Manage Effectively: If you experience lymphedema, consider physical therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and compression therapy.

Resources: Download our guide on lymphedema management. Coming Soon

VIDEOS THAT SHOW YOU HOW TO DO LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSSAGE

These videos were created by physical therapists who provide lympatic drainage. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY6SDKZGl8g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9FPhFDOB8E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9FP6AHj9Eo

Managing your mental health during your cancer journey is just as important as managing your physical health. Here are some strategies and resources to support your emotional well-being:

• Manage Anxiety and Depression: Practice mindfulness, explore cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and connect with support groups. Check out resources from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
• Support Your Emotional Well-Being: Remember, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Seek out emotional support through counseling or peer mentoring programs.
• Resources: Download our self-care checklist for mental health during treatment. Coming Soon!
• UHN Resource: We also recommend the comprehensive self-care guide developed by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, which offers valuable insights and resources for cancer patients. You can access the guide here. Please note that while this document is a valuable resource, many of the services listed are based in Ontario.

Call to Action: Always consult your healthcare team before starting new strategies or therapies, and report any new or worsening symptoms. Your healthcare team can provide personalized advice and support tailored to your needs.

• Focus on Nutrient-Rich Foods: Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet. Foods rich in antioxidants, like berries and leafy greens, and anti-inflammatory foods, such as fatty fish and nuts, are particularly beneficial.
• Boost Your Immune System: Include foods high in vitamin C, like oranges and strawberries, and zinc-rich options, such as nuts and seeds.
• Stay Energized: Choose complex carbohydrates like oats and quinoa to keep your energy levels steady.

Resources: Check out the Canadian Cancer Society’s nutrition guidelines for cancer patients.

• Engage in Gentle Activities: Try walking, swimming, or yoga, which are gentle on your joints and can be adapted to your energy levels.
• Reap the Benefits: Regular exercise can improve your mood, help you sleep better, and enhance your physical function. Explore gentle exercise routines from the Canadian Cancer Society.
• Resources: Download our Gentle Exercise Guide for IBC Patients and use an exercise log to track your progress and set goals.

• Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation into your routine. You can try meditation apps like Headspace , Calm or Insight Timer.
• Enjoy Your Hobbies: Engage in activities that bring you joy, spend time in nature, or connect with loved ones to help reduce stress.
• Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with a strong support system, whether through friends, family, or IBC-specific support groups.
• Resources: Download our guide on mindfulness practices for stress management. Coming Soon!

Call to Action: Use our downloadable guides and checklists to help you integrate these lifestyle changes into your daily routine.