My wife and I radically changed the family diet from the way we eat, to the cookware, to what is cooked. During chemo, I strictly followed a diet called Macrobiotics. We did not impose this on the children. There are books written on this type of diet, and I urge you to research it. I have relaxed the diet a bit now; however, 90% of what I consume now is still based on the macrobiotics diet. While I was going through chemo, I was juicing organic vegetables and fruit twice a day; morning and afternoon; four cups each time. The diet and juicing by themselves, I believe, helped me get through the chemo with minimal to no side effects and I believe contributed to boosting my immune system and keeping my kidneys and liver healthy to counteract the side effects of the poisons being injected in me every two weeks.
I did not work during this time. I wanted to keep my stress to a minimum. I was fortunate to be able to stay home, I know a lot of people have no choice and have to work while they are fighting, which makes learning to meditate and relax even more important. I got second opinions with regard to my treatment. As unbelievable as it may sound, the difference in opinions could be like night and day. It was very reassuring to know that the second and third opinions confirmed that the chemo/hormone therapy was the right course initially. If one place does not recommend a certain course of action, it does not mean that’s it and they are correct, it could mean, as was proven to me, that they do not have enough experience in a particular case and they are afraid to experiment. The scary thing is that they do not admit to their shortcoming and they may not refer you to somewhere else who have that expertise; this is where you, your spouse, and oncologist have to step in. Do not take no for an answer. It is you who is fighting for your life, not them, and you have every right to be proactive, demanding, and persistent.
I was told by my oncologist that I have to exercise at least two hours a day during chemo! He may have been excessive, to make sure I get at least half hour. I began walking 4 miles a day, three or four times per week, with Yoga filling the rest of my time. Even though towards the end of the chemo I was completely and excoriatingly exhausted physically, I forced myself to get out of the house and walk with my wife, my sons or daughter. I made myself believe that if I don’t get out and exercise, or keep a positive state of mind, or avoid people, I am doing exactly what the cancer wants me to do, give up and accept defeat. I began to do the opposite every time negative thoughts began to creep in.