Getting in the Right Headspace: My Immunotherapy Routine

I am a big believer in mind over matter and through this whole process, I have been on a mission to remain positive. So, I have created an immunotherapy routine to make sure I am in the best mindset to receive my treatment.

Immunotherapy night-before routine

1. Medication. My body doesn’t respond very well to the treatment and I usually have a bad reaction, so I have to take a mixture of medications the night before and morning-of.
2. A healthy high-fiber dinner. It’s important to me to consider what I am putting in my body the night before so I like to have a good, home-cooked healthy meal so I feel great the next day. High fiber diets have been said to complement immunotherapy, according to my doctor.
3. I choose my outfit the night before, so I am not rushed the next day. Always something warm and comfy with easy access to my veins. In my bag, I bring headphones, a backup phone charger, water, and a snack just in case. After all, a girl's gotta snack.
4. Self-care. I have a nice hot shower, put a hair mask in, and do a face mask too. I relax reading a book, to create some calm and feel good about myself.
5. I also play classical or movie scores (I love The Holiday from Hans Zimmer) with a candle lit and my fairy lights on. I find this helps to create a nice calming atmosphere to wind down for the night.

Immunotherapy morning-of routine

1. Get up early and go for a walk. I like to get my body moving because I want to loosen everything up. My treatment usually takes many hours and I am stuck in a hospital bed, so don’t want to be stiff.
2. Meditation. I love doing meditation the morning of to focus my mind and get my game face on. I love the guided meditations from Gabby Bernstein. I also repeat to myself, 'my body and mind are healthy and cancer-free', over and over during the meditation.
3. I practice gratitude. I find it helps put things into perspective. Sometimes this process can make you feel like things are unfair, but gratitude gets my attitude back in check.
4. Healthy breakfast, along with more medication to counteract my bad reaction.
5. Last but certainly not least, I ‘dance it out’. Because I usually have a bad reaction during treatment, I hold a little fear the morning of. So I choose an empowering song, turn it up REALLY LOUD, sing along and dance like no one is watching! This helps release the fear and just get those good endorphins flowing! Suggestions – Girl on Fire (Alicia Keys) & Stronger (Kelly Clarkson).

What is your immunotherapy routine?