A recovery plan for the first year after chemotherapy

It cannot fill in the medical details of your plan, such as your follow-up schedule, late effects or symptoms specific to your cancer. Your oncology team provides these.

It also cannot replace your team's advice. If anything in your plan is unclear, ask.

My vaccine plan

Write down which vaccines your team recommends, when, and which to avoid for now. Include recommendations for household members.

My port or line

If you still have a port or line, note flushing dates and when removal is planned.

My questions for the next visit

Keep a running list of questions so you do not forget them at appointments.

My progress notes

Once a month, write a few lines about what has improved, such as how far you can walk, how you are sleeping and how you feel. Looking back shows progress that is hard to see day to day.

My support network

List people who can help with transport, meals, childcare or company, and what each can do.

My finances and paperwork

Note insurance claims, leave records and contacts for financial support, so paperwork is easier to manage.

Sharing the plan

Give a copy to a trusted family member and your family doctor, and keep one with you when travelling.

Reviewing the plan

Review the plan at each follow-up visit and update goals as you recover. Many people find the plan becomes shorter and simpler as the year goes on.

My treatment summary in detail

Ask your team to write down the type of cancer, the treatments you received, including chemotherapy medicine names, surgery and radiotherapy, the dates treatment started and finished, and any significant complications. This information will matter to doctors for the rest of your life.

My contact list

Include the oncology helpline, your named nurse, your oncologist's clinic, your family doctor, the nearest emergency department, any other specialist clinic you attend, and a trusted family member. Keep a copy by the phone and in your wallet.

My medicines list

List every medicine you take, including hormone tablets, blood pressure or diabetes medicines, pain relief, supplements and herbal products, with who prescribed each. Update it whenever anything changes.

My late effects checklist

Ask your team which late effects apply to your treatment, for example heart checks after certain medicines, thyroid tests after neck radiotherapy, bone health after early menopause, or hearing checks after some platinum medicines. Write down who will arrange each check.

My activity goals

Write a starting point, such as a short walk each day, and a goal for the end of each month. Tick off progress to see improvement.

My eating goals

Note simple aims, such as eating protein at every meal, including vegetables twice a day, limiting fried snacks, or drinking enough water.

My sleep and rest plan

Set a regular bedtime, plan short rest breaks, and note what helps you sleep better.

My work plan

Write down the planned return date, adjusted hours or duties agreed with your employer, and when to review.

My emotional wellbeing plan

List people you can talk to, support groups, counselling contacts and warning signs that mean you should ask for help.

My financial plan

Note insurance claims in progress, scheme applications and whom to ask for help with costs.

Where to keep copies

Keep one copy at home, one on your phone and one with a trusted family member.

Sharing with your family doctor

Share the plan with your family doctor so they can support follow-up checks and recognise symptoms that need referral back to the cancer team.

Using the plan in emergencies

If you need emergency care, show the plan so staff quickly understand your treatment history.

Making the plan easy to read

Use large, clear writing or print, keep each section short, and highlight the most important contacts and warning signs so family members can use it quickly.

What to do next

Copy the sections into a notebook or phone, ask your team to complete the medical details, set small recovery goals, keep the plan with your records, share it with trusted people, and update it at every follow-up visit.