Understanding Chemotherapy
Do research into chemotherapy and your treatment plan. Chemotherapy is a method of treating cancer (and in some cases other similar diseases) which utilizes drugs that target and destroy fast-multiplying cells like cancerous ones. As cancerous cells are defunct mutated versions of your own that grow at incredibly fast rates, chemo can be used to shrink and eliminate tumors throughout the body. In order to be informed about your situation and to make decisions, make sure to do research into your treatment plan and consult your oncologists accordingly. Many different drugs can be used during chemotherapy. Ask your oncologist which ones you will be receiving and research specific factors connected to each drug. It is the intensity of the chemicals used during chemotherapy that gives it unfavorable side effects. Thus, different chemo drugs will have different side effects. Chemo is often used in adjuvant therapy by pairing it with radiation therapy or by first allowing chemo drugs to shrink the tumor and then turning to other methods to eliminate the cancer. In other cases, depending on the progression of the tumor(s), it is used directly to eliminate the cancer.
Understand the procedure for your chemotherapeutic treatment. Chemo is usually done over many months to allow for the drugs to kill more cancerous cells while allowing your body to rest and recover from any side effects. In those months, (usually around 3-6), you will receive infusions based on your chemo plan in cycles. Each infusion of chemo is done at a designated infusion center or hospital. Make sure to confirm your treatment schedule, procedure, and location with your oncologist. The pattern of your infusions is not spaced out evenly throughout the months. Instead, chemo takes place in a cyclical format, with the specifics varying from person to person. With each cycle, you will receive a varying number of sessions (infusions), though these sessions are usually not the same time apart from each other. Familiarize yourself with this format so you can adequately prepare yourself for treatment. For example, you may have treatment for the first 3 days of your cycle, then rest for a few weeks. You may also have an infusion on the first day of a 3-week cycle and then the 8th day with no other infusions for the rest of the cycle. In most cases while receiving an infusion, you will be hooked intravenously to an IV drip that delivers the drugs. In this way, a chemo session can last from a couple of minutes to several hours. Make sure to plan your schedule and your packing list according to the length of the session and the conditions at your infusion center/hospital. There are also chemo drugs that are ingested orally or applied as creams. These are often paired with an IV drip.
Learn about the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Chemo has a multitude of unwanted and harmful side effects. These are mainly caused by the death of healthy cells such as those which make up hair follicles and your internal mucus membranes. Before starting treatment, do research into these side effects so you know what to expect and can prepare accordingly. Most of chemo’s side effects are caused by the potency and ability of chemotherapeutic drugs to target and kill rapidly dividing cells. The drugs will also have a great impact on other, naturally fast multiplying cells in your body. The following are some of the most common side effects of chemo: Hair loss Mouth sores Nausea and vomiting Fatigue, which if persists, could indicate anemia Decreased concentration and focus, called “chemo brain” Weakened immune system Note that different side effects will be experienced based on the drugs that you are receiving. Be sure to ask your doctor about specific side effects you may face based on medication, scheduling, and other factors.
Learn about chemo’s effect on hormone levels and connected consequences. Chemotherapy can alter the balance of hormones in your body. This can cause emotional changes and mood swings. You may feel depressed or frustrated at times and experience intensified feelings of frustration and anxiety. Chemo can also alter levels of hormones connected to sexual desire and function. Due to these hormone changes, chemo generally decreases libido, although it is generally safe for cancer patients to be engaging in sexual activity unless your oncologist thinks otherwise. These changes usually pass a couple of weeks following the end of your cancer treatment. If they don’t, contact a medical professional and get your hormone levels tested. You may also want to seek help from a counselor.
Ask your oncologist for specific factors regarding your treatment. Every person will experience chemo differently. Ultimately, it is the specific conditions of your treatment that defines most of how you will prepare to tackle challenges and side effects. Don’t be afraid to question your medical team on information more specific to you on how to act and what to expect. Knowing what you will face is important, and due to the varying nature of cancer, those who will know the most about your condition are your doctors.
Preparing Your Body for Chemotherapy
Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Throughout your cancer treatment, make sure you’re getting ample amounts of sleep each night to maintain a strong immune system. Sleep deprivation can cause a lack of protective proteins and can greatly weaken the immune system and increase risks. Go to bed at the same time every day. Having a standard sleeping schedule makes it a lot easier to get more quality sleep as your body comes to expect sleep at a fixed time each night. Remove any distractions from your sleeping environment. Keep your room quiet and dark and adjust the temperature to your comfort level. Put aside electronic devices. Try not to take naps during the day. While it's natural to feel tired, napping can make it harder for you to sleep at night. Talk to your oncologist or even a sleep physician if you have trouble sleeping consistently. If chemo is interfering with your sleep, you may fare better with a sleeping sedative.
Get about 20-30 minutes of light or moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per day.Exercise is known to help alleviate specific side-effects of chemotherapeutic treatment as well as helping to boost your immune system health. Getting up to half an hour of cardiovascular exercises greatly lessens anxiety and makes cancer treatment easier to handle both mentally and physically. Stick to lower intensity activities such as brisk walking or cycling. Doing more vigorous activities does not necessarily yield better results and instead may result in injury or fatigue. Don’t pressure yourself to hit a certain standard. Chemo is tough and can make it hard to do certain activities. Rest when you need to and adjust your exercise schedule to your own needs. Consult your oncologist or physiatrist before starting more vigorous activities such as swimming or rock climbing that could put strain on certain areas. Your specialist will determine whether such an activity is beneficial to your body during cancer treatment as well as provide you with certain precautions about that activity.
Go for a walk after meals. Even a short 5-10 minute walk after eating can have surprising health benefits. Being mobile after meals helps with digestion and lowers blood sugar levels, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients and stay healthy during cancer treatment. A slow walk is enough to achieve these effects. It’s not the intensity of the exercise that matters in this case. Vigorous exercises like running and jogging after eating have been proven to slow down digestion.
Practice stress-relieving activities to lower anxiety. Doing relaxing activities will help to alleviate risks and make chemotherapy easier for you to manage. Your mental health has a great impact on your physical health. Stress and anxiety can raise blood pressure and suppress the effectiveness of your immune system, which is especially important to maintain during chemotherapy. Consider doing yoga or meditation. Mindful breathing and stretching promotes relaxation and can reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, you can also consider getting a massage once in a while. Do relaxing things you enjoy. Reading books, knitting, chatting with friends, and listening to music are all good ways to reduce stress levels. Limit the time you spend pursuing more intense hobbies such as playing video games or watching horror movies. While you may find them enjoyable, they can create temporary strain on your mind. Try aromatherapy or other brain-stimulating practices. Some essential oils and scents with stress-relieving capabilities include lavender, orange, sandalwood, and clary sage. Be sure to check the ingredients of essential oils or other aromatherapy products to make sure you aren’t allergic to any components.
Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol attacks the liver, which is vital in processing the drugs used in chemotherapy. The increased workload from heavy or frequent alcohol consumption puts extra strain on your liver and can make treatment more taxing on your body. This can make side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and nausea to become more severe. Additionally, harmful reactions between alcohol and drugs can cause liver inflammation and pain. It is suggested to be off alcohol when undergoing cancer treatment. However, the occasional drink in small amounts is still acceptable and will not have lasting effects. Make sure to adhere to suggested alcohol consumption limitations. Women should have no more than 1 standard drink of alcohol per day. This is equivalent to around 12 ounces (340 g) of beer, 5 ounces (140 g) of wine, or 1.5 ounces (43 g) of distilled liquor/spirits. Men should have no more than 2 standard drinks per day. This is equivalent to around 24 ounces (680 g) of beer, 10 ounces (280 g) of wine, or 3 ounces (85 g) of distilled liquor/spirits. Apart from limiting alcoholic drink consumption, make sure to not come into contact with absorbable alcohol in other ways. This includes avoiding practices such as vodka tamponing, alcohol enemas, and more.
Avoid tobacco smoke and products. Tobacco has a negative effect on the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatment and your overall health. Particularly, chemicals in cigarettes react with certain chemo drugs and can make them ineffective. Research has also proven that smokers experience much greater and more severe side-effects throughout their chemo sessions due to increased anxiety and prolonged negative health. If you smoke, chemo is the time to quit. If possible, avoid nicotine-containing smoking cessation products such as nicotine gum or patches. Being a drug, nicotine can interfere with cancer treatment and lower the efficiency of chemotherapy. Instead, opt for products such as Bupropion to help with withdrawal. Be mindful of second-hand tobacco smoke. Even if you don’t smoke, inhaling cigarette smoke from other people can be just as bad. If someone you live with or work frequently with is a heavy smoker, politely ask them to not smoke near you.
Avoid germs. Chemotherapy weakens the immune system, making treatment a bad time to get sick. Regular infections get a lot more serious during chemo, as your body will already be struggling with chemotherapy and now has the extra burden of fighting off infection. With that in mind, make sure to take action against exposing yourself to germs and bacteria. Have yourself and everyone you come into contact with wash their hands frequently. Some soapy water can reduce the risks of infection by quite a bit. If you are out and don’t have access to a bathroom, hand sanitizer can be used as an alternative. Stay away from large crowds when possible. Every person you come into close contact with increases your chance of catching an infection. When there is an alternative, skip activities where there are a lot of people. When in public, practice social distancing, and don’t touch your face if you’ve touched a public surface. You can also consider wearing a medical mask. Don’t share eating utensils, plates, or cups. Make sure what you will be eating or drinking out of is hygienic and hasn’t come into contact with another person’s bodily fluids.
Practice safe sex.When on chemo, take the appropriate measures to protect yourself from risks of infection when engaging in sexual activity. Have both you and your partner screened for STDs and be sure to use a condom. Pregnancy, in both chemo recipients and their partners should be avoided while on treatment. This is because chemo drugs can cause problems with sperm and could damage a fetus in utero, endangering both the baby and the mother’s life. Use contraception at all times, although you may want to consult your oncologist on certain birth control pills before taking them to prevent interference with chemo drugs.
Stay hydrated. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day helps to fight dehydration, which is quite a common side effect of chemo and can cause unwanted consequences if left unresolved. When you’re undergoing chemo, your body uses up a lot of water, which makes it necessary to increase your consumption of fluids. If you find that water tastes weird, try adding different natural flavors into your drink like cucumber slices or mint leaves. You can also swap it out for other kinds of clear liquids. These include broths, tea, or even sports drinks like Gatorade. When undergoing an infusion of chemo, make sure to be drinking water frequently. Dehydration caused by chemo is a big reason why patients experience headaches during a session.
Eat smaller portion sizes but more frequent meals. Instead of eating 3 meals a day, try to split your daily intake into smaller sizes and eat more frequently, such as 6 times a day. This can mean smaller portion sizes or even just snack breaks. Chemo can make indigestion, fatigue, and decreased appetites more prevalent issues. Eating less at a time but more frequently can help combat these issues, leading to better nourishment and decreased risk for vomiting and energy crashes. When following this type of meal plan, remember to always listen to your body. If you're hungry, have a snack. Having food in your stomach during chemo will make you feel better. Never push yourself to eat more than you can handle. This will only exacerbate nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. If you're full, simply schedule your next meal for when you are hungry again.
Avoid raw and undercooked foods. When preparing food, make sure to cook thoroughly, especially for meats like chicken and vegetables in the sprout family. Food that isn’t cooked thoroughly carries the risk of containing bacteria, which can cause diseases that are exponentially riskier during chemotherapy because of the weakening of the immune system. The exception to this is fruits and salad vegetables, which simply need to be thoroughly washed beforehand. This includes sashimi, like salmon cuts, and most deli meats which if not prepared properly can be a risk of bacterial contamination. These foods are technically still raw, and it's generally not recommended to consume them on chemo. Make sure to only consume dairy products that are made from pasteurized milk to eliminate the threat of bacterial contamination. When buying cheeses, check to see whether they have been pasteurized. As a general rule of thumb, softer cheeses like Brie and Feta are usually made from unpasteurized milk. Eggs that are not thoroughly cooked through should not be eaten during chemo. All eggs should be cooked until there are no runny elements. Most steaks above the rare line are generally safe to consume and are free of bacteria. However, do not consume any meat that isn’t well-done if your oncologist or dietician reports that you have Neutropenia, a shortage of white blood cells.
Reduce your intake of red and processed meats and opt for healthier proteins and fats. While red meat is a great source of protein, it is often high in cholesterol and saturated fats. This can damage heart health and also increases the risk of cancer reoccurrence. Processed meats, generally all meats that are smoked, fermented, cured, etc. should also be limited for their salt content. This doesn’t mean cutting these meat choices completely out of your diet. They are great sources of proteins and only need to be reduced in quantity. Instead, try to cut back on these meats while filling up on alternate sources of protein. Other sources of protein that can replace red meat can be fish, nuts, beans, and dairy products. Beans and bean products like tofu are especially popular with cancer patients as an alternative. Additionally, other lean meats like poultry are also great sources for protein. Healthier options for fats include nuts, nut butters, avocados, and more.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. Having a balanced diet is an important part of making it through chemo. Fruits and vegetables offer a great deal of useful nutrients and vitamins to help you get through cancer treatment healthily. If you aren’t that hungry and want a quick snack/meal, a salad is a great, nutritious option that’s also incredibly easy to prepare. When selecting vegetables, prioritize those with high fiber content, like carrots, broccoli, and legumes. Fiber helps with bowel movements and lessens the risk of constipation.
Replace your intake of refined carbohydrates with healthier options. Foods high in refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, are often lower in nutrients and energy than their organic counterparts. When shopping for foods and preparing meals, look for more organic sources of carbohydrates rather than refined carbs found in products using processed wheat and grains. Always choose a whole grain product over a processed one. Bread, pasta, and cereals made with whole grains contain higher quality carbs that offer more energy and are more nutritious. Legumes, fruits, and starchy vegetables are also great sources of organic carbohydrates due to their natural sugar content.
Supplement your digestive health with pro and prebiotics. Foods like yogurt, cheese, and bananas are a great way to boost your digestive health during chemotherapy. Probiotic and prebiotic foods help to boost the capability of the gut microbiome, which is the collection of the trillions of bacteria inside our intestines that help us with absorption.
Preparing for Chemotherapy Sessions
See a dentist beforehand. Before beginning chemotherapy, schedule a meeting with your dentist to discuss your oral health. Chemo can have quite substantial side effects on your oral health, including inflammation, soring, and an increased risk of infection. Visit your dentist to address existing dental problems like cavities or abscesses that can get worse during chemotherapy. Follow up with more checkups if required throughout your treatment period. Ask about how you can maintain oral hygiene during chemotherapy. Due to the different parameters that surround different types of people and cancer, the specific regimen of oral care changes for different people. Make sure to make inquiries into what brand or type of dental care product (such as toothpaste and toothbrush) your dentist recommends for a person on chemo. Have an oral checkup for preexisting conditions in case they will be affected by chemotherapy. If your dentist suggests it, consider talking with your oncologist about rescheduling chemo to make time for any dental procedures.
Clear your schedule. Take time off work, postpone school, or cancel any events for at least half a day following a session of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is tough, on some more than others. Following an infusion, take time to relax and rest and let your body recover. Appointments or gatherings you have planned may put unnecessary pressure on your body. Make sure to free up at least 3 days after your first session of chemotherapy. The time following your first infusion is crucial for gauging how bad your post-chemo reactions are. After the first infusion, take a few days to observe your state to better gauge the time you need in the future. Always listen to your body. If you are responding poorly to a session of chemo, cancel any major activity that may conflict with recovery. Remember to always put your health first and give yourself time if you don’t feel ready.
Arrange for help at home. Don’t push yourself to do chores, take care of kids, or cook after chemotherapy. Instead, find someone on hand who can help you do these tasks. Having someone help with daily life after chemotherapy helps to allow your body to recover from side effects like nausea and fatigue. As a patient, make sure that your primary post-session concern is your own body. If you can’t find any convenient family or neighbors to help you, consider paying service providers such as house cleaners or babysitters to help you run errands while you rest.
Keep a chemo journal. Write down important things such as the times of your infusions, diet, exercise plan, and medications to keep yourself on track. Keeping such a journal tracking how your chemo journey is going can help you make changes, see results and feel better. Make sure to also keep a record of your side effects and their severity throughout your cancer treatment. This makes communicating issues and understanding your condition with your medical team much easier. Reflect any trends from the information on your side effects marked down in your journal to your medical oncology team. With this information, they can give you suggestions on how to deal with such side effects and look into prescriptions to give. This practice also helps to notice any issues or changes in how your body is responding to chemotherapy drugs. Oftentimes, the gradual change of side effects is not necessarily noticeable, but with a journal, such information can be more accurately tracked. You can also use this journal as a diary to jot down your feelings and emotions of the day. Oftentimes, it helps to have these things written down so you can better reflect and understand what you’re feeling. If it helps, consider bringing this journal with you on the day of treatment so you have something to do and can put your experiences down as you receive an infusion.
Look for inspiration and hope in cancer/chemotherapy survivors. Find and read stories about other cancer patients who had to go through the same journey you are starting and use their stories and insights for inspiration. Remember that you are not alone in this and that many have also taken it before you. Take in the advice you receive from other cancer survivors as tips you can use to optimize your treatment. There are many good resources for finding cancer treatment blogs and survivor stories online. A simple web search can help you generate many institutional support/survivor stories as well as privately owned sites. The following are great databases for large collections of personal stories. Cancer Survivor Network Cancer Support Community The Mighty Many hospitals also have their own cancer survivor network where you can have the chance to be in correspondence with local survivors.
Consider joining a support group. Many hospitals or local community centers have cancer support groups where patients can meet to share their experiences, talk and socialize. These groups are a great place to talk about anything that troubles you, learn tips, and make friends. If you are experiencing anxiety or just want to want to get out of the house, joining a community support group is a great option.
Consider buying a wig. Hair loss is perhaps the most well-known side effect of chemotherapy. Up to 65% of those undergoing chemotherapy will experience hair loss. Buying a wig beforehand helps, with studies showing that it can help to boost confidence.
Arrange for your transportation in advance. It's best that you don’t drive immediately after an infusion of chemo due to risks of fatigue, nausea, and discomfort making it harder and more dangerous. Instead, try to find alternate ways of getting to and from the treatment center, be it by having someone drive you or simply taking a taxi. You can also just walk if you don’t live far from the hospital. Familiarize yourself with local public transportation routes. In case other methods are unavailable or something unexpected happens, it's good to know how to get back home using public transit. However, it's best to avoid taking the bus or subway unless necessary due to health issues as these areas are usually not the cleanest and lead to further exposure to people and germs.
Pack a snack or small meal. When receiving chemotherapy, you may get hungry even if you recently ate. Having a healthy and tasty snack with you is a great way to combat this, and can also help with boredom and stress by giving you something enjoyable to do. Small snacks are great to have on shorter sessions. Some great healthy, filling, and tasty foods to snack on include fresh fruits, crackers, and nut/trail mixes. Small portion meals are a good treat to have for longer sessions, especially as hospital food isn’t necessarily the best all the time. Quick and easy meals to bring include sandwiches, salads, and burritos. Chemo can easily distort taste and cause your mouth to dry. To combat this, try sucking on hard candies like mints or lemon drops. Additionally, chewing gum can help to relieve stress and give you something to do passively.
Dress for comfort. Make sure the clothes you wear to your chemo session are warm and comfortable.There is no need to try and look good during chemo; it matters more that you feel secure and comfy for your treatment. It can get chilly in the infusion centers while receiving treatment. If you’re worried that you may still be cold while receiving treatment, you can pack some extra clothes and a small warm blanket/scarf to wrap yourself in. Additionally, an extra pair of socks is great for warming up both your feet and your hands.
Bring things that will entertain you. Chemo is stressful. During treatment, you may want to distract yourself from it all by doing something fun and lighthearted. When packing and preparing for an infusion, prepare for boredom and idleness in advance by bringing something you can distract yourself with. If you would like to plan out your session, put aside time to rest during your infusion as well. Make sure to have your phone and other electronics you might need with you. The internet is a vast and fluid resource that can easily distract and entertain you during chemo. Using it, you can text friends, listen to music, and even watch movies as you receive your infusion. If you do have plans to watch a show or a movie, it's best that you have them downloaded on your device beforehand; there is no telling what the internet speed at your infusion center is like. Bring some fun board games or puzzles to play. Doing activities such as Sudoku or completing a puzzle are surprisingly good ways to pass the time. Many board games do require multiple people to play however; if you do find yourself in need of more people, try asking around for other patients who might want to join in the fun. Start a crafts project to pass the time. Hobbies like knitting and crochet are great for relaxation and distraction from the stresses of treatment. Some extra reading materials may also help you make chemo more interesting and flavorful. Reading is a great way to stay calm and a book or some magazines can go a long way.
Bring skin care products to keep your skin well. Chemo has a drying effect on the skin that can make it dry up at a faster rate. Bringing lotions and lip balm is therefore a great choice as it can help you keep your skin protected and moist.
Bring something of sentimental value. When undergoing such a taxing treatment regimen as chemo, it is easy to lose hope. Having something with you during your infusion to hold or look at which will soothe these feelings can boost your spirits and be beneficial to your mental wellbeing. For this purpose, anything sentimental that reminds you of a happy memory can work to make you feel better. Sentimental objects such as childhood mementos or gifts from loved ones are great for this purpose. Bring something that will remind you of a happy memory and cheer you up. Anything that has sentimental value to you can be great for hope and inspiration. Some people find that it helps to imagine that you are someplace else. If smelling a familiar scent would help further these memories, you could try using a recreating those smells or bringing a scent pod. This can be anything that reminds you of the happy and cheerful memories in your life. An old photo album can bring back plenty of happy times to build your determination and to help focus on the positive.
Try to get a friend or family member to accompany you. Cancer patients report that having someone you know accompany you to treatment can greatly help with your spirits and alleviate stress. Having someone to talk to during treatment can be a great support. Additionally, they can help with communicating with your doctor and can act as an informant to your medical team on your behalf in case you don’t feel well or there is an emergency. Inform your friend or family member about your treatment experience beforehand so they can better communicate it to a doctor when you are unable. Tell them about your side effects, medications, or just how you feel in general and other aspects of your chemo experience. If your friend or family member knows how to drive, have them bring you to and from treatment. That way, you’ll be able to secure transport for yourself as well.
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