Surviving Cancer Chemotherapy

The thought of chemotherapy produces fear and anxiety in most people. My mother-in-law lived with my husband and me before she died of cancer. I witnessed first-hand the horrors of chemotherapy. If my tumor had not been large, I would have refused the treatment. Improvement is constant and a great deal of progress has been made in treating the side effects.

Chemotherapy is a chemical designed to kill fast growing cells. Unfortunately, not all fast growing cells are cancer and the therapy kills healthy cells. It’s important to communicate with your doctors in understanding the type of chemo you need and the side effects of the treatment.

The chemotherapy can be given through a vein, orally or injected into a vein, and as often as daily, weekly or monthly. The doctors will recommend chemotherapy and a schedule to fit your particular situation. Each person and chemotherapy has different side effects. Low blood cell and platelet count is common and increases the risk of developing an infection. It’s important to stay away from crowds and areas where you may pick up a germ or virus. Other common side effects are pain, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, hair loss and fatigue.

It helped me to take an active role in controlling the side effects. I felt more in control and that I was doing something to combat the cancer.

I took the nausea and pain medications before I had pain or became sick. It’s not easy to stop the pain or nausea once it gets bad. I kept a time log on all medication so I wouldn’t over dose. Once your hair starts to fall out, shave your head. This prevents hair from getting in your food, your mouth and all over the house. Get some pretty and soft scarves to wear. Hats are hard and can irritate the head and wigs can be hot. Do what makes your feel comfortable.

Drink something cold while chemo is being administered to keep the inside of your mouth cold. This shrinks the blood vessels, keeps the chemo from burning the inside of your mouth, and keeps the mouth sores from forming.

It’s o.k. to go to bed on the bad days however on the days you feel like it get up, go outside, exercise or walk. It help’s the fatigue. Don’t try to pay bills, clean house or go shopping on the bad days.

Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to combat constipation.

Word puzzles, games and reading helped with the brain fog that accompanied the medication and chemotherapy. Learn something new to keep your mind off the cancer.
Resources: Chemotherapy Side Effects : Know what to expect http://www.chemotherapy.com/side_effects/side_effects.html
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/


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