It is hard to believe that it is almost Thanksgiving!  For my family and many others, Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season.  It is chaotic and stressful but also filled with family traditions, too much food, lots of laughter and memory-making fun.

For people coping with cancer treatment during Thanksgiving the very things that make the holiday special (see above) are what can make it challenging.  Chemotherapy and radiation side effects like extreme fatigue, food/eating problems including nausea, digestion issues and impaired taste, and coping with appearance-related issues like hair loss and skin changes can make it tempting to sit this one out.

No need! Here are five survivor-recommended tips to turn a seemingly overwhelming event back into a holiday that you will remember and enjoy. It starts with letting your family and friends know what your needs are and gracefully letting them step in to help.

• Be a Guest

This is the year to let someone else host and for you to be a guest. There are many ways to participate in Thanksgiving without doing the heavy lifting of hosting. (Think cleaning the house, setting the table, grocery shopping, cooking dinner, serving and then facing– all those dirty dishes!) Just the thought of it is exhausting!

•Join In

There are many low-stress ways to participate in Thanksgiving and to contribute to the festivities. Some of our favorites include creating decorations with your kids, preparing a simple, healthy appetizer like avocado deviled eggs that everyone can enjoy or making a Thanksgiving playlist featuring your family’s favorite music.

• Time Out

Think about your energy levels during the day and suggest to family and friends a Thanksgiving start time that works best for you. Conserve your energy by resting until it’s time to celebrate. Instead of enjoying the Thanksgiving meal at dinner time, consider some options like an earlier start time or a late Thanksgiving lunch. Don’t sit overly long at the table. Listen to your body, take a break and relax on the couch.

• Brown Bag It

Bring your own food to Thanksgiving to ensure that you will be able to enjoy the meal by having food that agrees with you. While it is tempting to break away from your normal diet be careful with overindulging on Thanksgiving favorites that are high in fats and filled with sugar and salt. Sneaking a few bites won’t hurt but you don’t want to pay the price later.

•Dress For Success

Holiday dressing can be synonymous with comfort and style. Trade in those comfy sweatpants and that beloved old sweater for comfy more stylish options. Soft leggings with a long sweater or tunic, a fashionable wrap or pashmina, accessorize with eye-catching jewelry or add a great pin to a head scarf or soft cap.

For more helpful blogs about how to enjoy the holidays while coping with cancer, read our CBG Holiday blog series of informative holiday tips. 

Happy Holidays from your “Thanksgiving-Loving”  friends at Cancer Be Glammed!