I think I’m tired of going through things that don’t kill me but make me stronger. I think I’d like to just get stronger on my own from now on.

I’m at the tail end of my ovarian cancer treatment. I am feeling my lifeblood begin to seep back into the spaces it’s vacated for the past five months. I’m looking forward to being out in a restaurant with friends — without a mask … getting to the barn to ride my horse much more regularly … getting back in the pool and the gym and the swing of life as it should be. I know you know what I mean.

While I am very much an allopathic cancer treatment gal (carboplatin and paclitaxel, if you please), there are many homeopathic remedies to consider for help with nausea, neuropathy, and other side effects. I encourage you to find a licensed homeopath to provide solid guidance.

Beyond that, many over-the-counter items made my journey more comfortable. I’d like to share those with you.

Cancer is one of those strange beasts that attack in myriad ways with kaleidoscopic results. The adage “Everyone is different” certainly applies. If my suggestions don’t work for you, scrap them. If they do, I’ll say a prayer that you, too, wind up on the other side of the awful journey, ready to take on the largeness of life as you never did before. Here is what worked for me:

Heat! Heating pads, rice socks, and spice flannels that you warm in the microwave — there is nothing so comforting as a warm spot on your aching bones, spine, neck … you name it.

CBD cream: Whether or not you have neuropathy, like I did, you most likely have spots you’ll want to dab this on. Though it helps, it’s not a miracle. Still, the CBD lotion I found at my dispensary had a lot of menthol, and it helped with my feet — which felt like frozen cauliflower when I walked — and my burning lobster claw hands.

Biotène: Available over the counter at your local drugstore, this is a miracle-worker rinse for mouth sores. A few days after chemo, everything, including water, tasted like bitter chalk to me. A quick rinse with this and I was raiding the pantry.

Acupuncture: Again, this is not a cure-all, but it did help the worst of my neuropathy pain in my hands, feet, and knees. If you’re afraid of needles, massage is an option.

Massage! Who doesn’t like the feeling of warm hands on your skin, pushing all the tension out of your body and replacing it with muscles that feel like soft taffy?

Fennel: I have heavenly neighbors who, in the early days of my treatment, before I had the nausea drugs figured out, brought me slices of raw fennel. For the uninitiated, it is crunchy like celery and has a mild licorice flavor. Fennel really helped the nausea, and it was a palatable vegetable! I found myself nibbling it regularly.

Calling a friend: If there is anything cancer does, it brings your true friends out of the woodwork. Sometimes they worry that if they’re constantly checking in, they’re being a bother. We know they aren’t, so make it easy on them and give your bestie a call. You’ll find yourself chuckling over some funny thing you two did together or remembering some delicious memory you share. Laughing is good. Crying with someone is good too. Either way, you’ll be flooded with endorphins, and that will make you feel better.

Putting your feet up! Just being still felt good to me. Better yet, take to your bed with fresh sheets and your favorite movies, books, and pets. I was joined by ridiculously soft gray cat sisters, Charlotte and Margot, and our chocolate Labradoodle rescue named Magnolia. Aaahhh!

Flowers: Small pleasures — not essential but highly recommended. Between friends, family, and my sweet hubs, I have been so lucky to have enjoyed a scrumptious and bountiful array of gorgeous flowers to inhale and admire from the comfort of my sofa.

Keeping your chin up: I subscribe to having a positive attitude. Stuff happens. And when stuff happens, you put your collar up and your head down and plow. It’s been my family battle plan for many years, and guess what? It works. Not complaining works. One step at a time, you’ll get through this, and I hope you’ll find that one or two of my tricks will help with whatever you’re experiencing.

Soon, you’re going to find yourself on the other side of this thing that most likely isn’t going to kill you but will instead will make you stronger. And soon, I hope you find yourself scooping life out of the carton in big unmanageable chunks that scare everyone you know — and that includes you.

MyOvarianCancerTeam members discuss ovarian cancer from a specific point of view. Members’ articles don’t reflect the opinions of MyOvarianCancerTeam staff, medical experts, partners, advertisers, or sponsors. MyOvarianCancerTeam content isn’t intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.