I have been busy reading on what to expect on and after August 24th, my first Chemo Treatment. I found this list on the internet.
If you're about to go for your first round of chemotherapy, you may have lots of questions, and some fears. Here's some tips on what do to, in order to have a good experience, and prevent problems afterward.
1. Eat light and high-fiber, stay well-hydrated
Two to three hours before an infusion, eat light and make your choices high-fiber. Chemo drugs tend to slow peristalsis (digestion and bowel processes), so whatever you eat may be in your digestion for longer than usual, and will dry out. Eating a high-fiber snack helps, since fiber helps retain moisture in the bowels. Drink lots of water or sports drinks, (and avoid caffiene) to boost your electrolytes. Staying hydrated helps your cells process the chemo drugs through your system faster.
2. Understand your pre-chemo blood test results
Before you have each round of chemo, you will have a blood test which is called a CBC: Complete Blood Count. This will show the counts for your red and white blood cells, in comparison with healthy counts. If your counts are too low, having chemo may not be safe. Ask your nurse to show you the CBC results and explain them to you. Ask for a copy, and keep it with your records in your health notebook.
3. Ask questions about every drug
Every chemotherapy infusion includes a mix of drugs. Some are actually cancer-killing drugs, others are medications which help allieviate side effects. Ask questions about all of the drugs:
What is this?
What side effects may it have?
What will this feel like?
How do I cope with this?
Who do I call if I have problems with this?
How does this help kill the cancer cells?
4. Take your Pre and post-chemo medications on time
If you've been given a prescription for pre or post-chemo medications, get clear instructions on how and when to take these. Some of these will be to prevent nausea and vomiting, and must be taken on time. Nausea medications are preventative, so taking them after you feel sick won't help very much. Taking them before you feel sick is the most effective.
5. Drink 8 ounces of water every hour
Chemo drugs are very drying to your body's tissues, and the drug will be going to every cell you have. Right after an infusion, drink 8 ounces of water every hour until bedtime. Avoid caffiene, as it is also drying and may cause you to feel worse. One other benefit of drinking this much water is that it will help your body to process and flush the chemo drugs out of your system sooner, so you can start to recover sooner, too.
6. Plan on having a supportive person nearby
After you've had your first infusion, you may feel well enough to drive yourself home, but in case you don't, plan to have a supportive person - a chemo buddy - go with you to drive.
7. Track your side effects
If you have side effects that are bothersome; such as nausea, vomiting, rash, swelling, or unusual pain around the injection site, note these down. Your doctor or nurse will need to know how often you're having problems, how severe they are, and how you're coping. If you have notes to refer to when you visit the doctor, they can more accurately help you deal with the problems.
8. Allow for fatigue and recovery
The day after your first treatment, you may feel tired or very fatigued. Plan on resting, as this gives your body the chance to respond to the chemotherapy, and begin the recovery cycle. Remember that chemo affects every cell in your body. Stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water or juice. If you feel "fuzzy brained" from the medications, try a hot tub soak. Do keep in mind that all the side effects are temporary, and that during recovery you will soon feel better.
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