10 Ways to Minimize Side Effects from Chemotherapy and Surgery

This month’s post comes from guest bloggerSeasonJohnson. We met at aconferenceand I was moved by her story, and herstrength,caring for her son during hiscancer treatment. This post is full of helpful referenceson coping with the fallout fromchemotherapy. I did not have chemotherapy as part of mylymphoma treatment, thus,I am happy to share Season’s experience with the Empowered Patient community. Happy reading. Brandon.

One of the most awful parts of navigating a cancer diagnosis (opens in new tab)is the side effects from treatment.

I got my first up-close and personal taste of this during a very difficult conversation shortly after my 3-year-old son, Kicker, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. While chatting with another cancer dad, he shared his experiences with his young son and how I needed to prepare for…

• all of the vomiting from chemotherapy
• how Kicker would lose all of his hair
• there would be major mood swings
• most likely, Kicker would have some difficulty walking
• in the next year, we would be hospitalized at least 10 times for secondary infections

This man really was trying to help, and he was gentle in his words. However, I was absolutely horrified, and my “mama bear” mode took over.

As a result,I took matters into my own hands (opens in new tab)over the next couple of weeks. I didn’t want these things to happen to my son. So, I reached out to our Osteopathic Physician, Nutritionist and Naturopath, and we devised a natural healing protocol. The goal was to help Kicker stay as healthy as possible during the his 3-year chemotherapy treatment.

First, we overhauled his diet (opens in new tab). Then, we focused on detoxing his system (opens in new tab), as well as, put him on an essential oil (opens in new tab)and supplement protocol. Basically, we supported him with natural medicine every step of the way!

Thankfully, Kicker never experienced those horrific side effects!

He threw up only one time during treatment, never lost his hair and was never hospitalized for secondary infections. In fact, he actually stayed healthy and vibrant during the entire three and a half years of daily chemo.

So, to help, here are 10 things we did prior to Kicker receiving the high doses of chemotherapy and before any surgery:

1. Take a detox bath every day for the week leading up to chemo and/or surgery, as well as, for at least one week after. This also includes the day of the procedure, as long as, the surgery site was not exposed to the water.Here’s my detox bath recipe. (opens in new tab)
2. Do castor oil packs every day for the week leading up to chemo and/or surgery, as well as, for at least one week after.Here’s my castor oil pack instructions. (opens in new tab)
3. Topically apply 2 drops of Zendocrine Essential Oil (opens in new tab)over the liver after chemo and /or surgery.
4. Drink ½ of your body weight in ounces of filtered water daily with 2 drops of doTERRA’s Lemon (opens in new tab)andFrankincense (opens in new tab)Essential Oil. Make sure to drink only out of a glass or stainless-steel container, and here’s my favorite water filter (opens in new tab).
5. After chemo and/or surgery, drink 24 ounces of filtered water withLemon (opens in new tab)andFrankincense (opens in new tab)Essential Oil in it.
6. Rebound (opens in new tab)for 10 minutes every day for the week leading up to chemo and/or surgery.
7. Practice 10 minutes of meditation AND prayer every morning before you begin your day (opens in new tab). Then, write down 10 positive affirmation. The Headspace App (opens in new tab)is a great guide, but here’s some simple examples:

• I am healthy.
• I am strong.
• I am capable of healing.
• I am beautiful.
• I am loved.
• I am supported.

1. Use Peppermint (opens in new tab), Ginger (opens in new tab)and DigestZen (opens in new tab)Essential Oils topically and internally 30 minutes before chemo is administered or prior to surgery. Then, use again topically and internally immediately after chemo or waking up from surgery.
2. Drink 12 oz. bone broth every day for the week leading up to chemo and surgery.Here’s my recipe. (opens in new tab)
3. Completely remove all sugar and grains (opens in new tab)for the week leading up to chemo and/or surgery, as well as, for at least one week after.

Also, here’s a list of 15 healthy snack ideas to bring to the appointments:

1. Organic Seaweed –Here’s our favorite. (opens in new tab)
2. Organic Unsweetened Coconut Flakes – Here’s our favorite (opens in new tab). (opens in new tab)
3. Superfood Bars –Here’s our favorite. (opens in new tab)
4. Organic Beef Jerky –Here’s our favorite. (opens in new tab)
5. Organic Cucumber withCeltic Sea Salt (opens in new tab). (opens in new tab)
6. Sliced Apples with Almond Butter Packs (opens in new tab)orCoconut Butter Packs. (opens in new tab)
7. Forager Cashew Yogurt.
8. Organic Raw Cheese –Here’s our favorite. (opens in new tab)
9. Bone Broth –Here’s my recipe. (opens in new tab)You can make it ahead of time and store it in a mason jar (opens in new tab).
10. Organic Green Juice–Here’s our favorite recipe. (opens in new tab)You can make it ahead of time and store it in a mason jar.
11. Plantain Chips with Guacamole – We love these plantain chips (opens in new tab), and we get organic mini guacamole containers at Costco.
12. Hardboiled Eggs.
13. Homemade Gummies –Here’s my recipe. (opens in new tab)
14. Kale Chips –Here’s my recipe. (opens in new tab)
15. Homemade granola –Here’s my recipe. (opens in new tab)

Finally, if you’re looking for some additional support…
Sign up here for my FREE 20 Tips to Fight Cancer Cheat Sheet. (opens in new tab)

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Bio:

Season Johnson is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with a science-based, holistically-minded approach. She understands that each person is biochemically unique and that the body has an amazing capability to restore balance once you begin to support the underlying causes of disease.

When Season’s son, Kicker, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 3, it propelled her into an unstoppable mission to change the world of cancer by giving hope through education. Her goal is to empower others on how they can thrive physically, emotionally and spiritually through nutrition, detoxification therapies, essential oils, and self-care.

Season is the President of the KICKcancER Movement and received the WAPF Activist Award in 2014 for her work in supporting pediatric cancer patients through real food and nutritional therapy. Additionally, Season is a Presidential Diamond with doTERRA Essential Oils and is well-versed on to use them to enhance the body’s own healing abilities.

Website: www.seasonjohnson.com (opens in new tab)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/seasonmjohnson (opens in new tab)
Instagram:www.instagram.com/seasonjohnson (opens in new tab)
Non-Profit: https://kickcancermovement.org/ (opens in new tab)