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May 18, 2008, 7:02 pm
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My sister can no longer eat anything that is chilled or cold, it's a side effect of one of the medications of her chemotherapy. Last summer she was miserable because she could not even have a cold glass of anything to cool her down in the summer heat.

Does anyone have any ideas of what to do to keep cool when you can't even have a cold drink to cool you down?

You could always try big ice packs, or a very cold room.

I wouldn't ever be able to do this! That must be tough.

Drinking warm or hot liquids actually have a better effect in cooling down your body as it regulates based on the warmer liquid and lowers your temperature. A cold drink is only efficient immediately.

Has she tried one of those chill wraps that use water absorbing crystals like they use in diapers? They hold water for days on end and can actually be made at home cheaply with the crystals they sell in the garden department. You sew a tube (or more than one) in a strip of fabric (cotton works best) and put a teaspoon in each channel, about a tablespoon total. Leave the ends free of crystals and soak in cold water.

I imagine it would vary depending on what situation you are in at the time but I know that I use to put ice packs inside my kids pillow cases before they went to bed-helped keep them cool for a bit. also keeping a little water around to wipe across the brow or dampen the feet is nice if there is so much as a small warm breeze (easily duplicated with a fan)

Thanks for the ideas. She can't even stand in front of an open refrigerator because the cold just effects her terribly. She tells me her hands and face feel as if a wave of harsh sand is being scrubbed over it as the cold air hits her and it's very uncomfortable.

She can't even drink cool liquids because it also tastes and feels like sand in her mouth.

Last summer she tried just wiping her face with a wet towel, not even a cool one. Then as she heated up we just used the water to wet her down to cool off for a bit. She can use fans but an air conditioner is totally out.

Mostly I hope that it doesn't get that hot this summer. I have given up all iced desserts because she can't have them and I don't even use ice cubes just to not have them in the house.

I really hope it doesn't get too hot this year.

Well hopefully it doesn't and if it does I hope your sister is able to find a way to cool down.

Having chemotherapy done can cause many issues. I know one person that could not stand any fake smells.

I think you could end up keeping the A/C turned up abit more in the main room this person sleeps/lives in correct?

I usually drink water at room temperature and it still has a cooling effect for me. I like to use a washcloth rinsed in cold water to cool my face when I am overheated. Lying down on the cool floor under our ceiling fan helps me too.

Those are good ideas also. I use the cool slightly damp rag myself often. It seems to help in 120 degree weather.

Those are good ideas also. I use the cool slightly damp rag myself often. It seems to help in 120 degree weather.