Chemotherapy treatment involves an overwhelming number of sittings and consuming many medications. This can be very daunting to the patient. During the and after the treatment, the patients need a lot of care. The treatment given to every patient may vary according to the type and stage of cancer. All the side effects experienced by patients are never similar in their frequency and intensity. However, chemotherapy care assures that a patient gets emotional support to cope up with the long struggle against cancer.

Managing the side effects: The body of every patient reacts to the chemotherapy drugs in a different manner. The side effects can also vary from one person to another. For example, a patient undergoing medulloblastoma chemotherapy may not have the same side effects as someone undergoing thyoma chemotherapy.

Although these side effects can cause patients to undergo a lot of stress both physically and emotionally, most of them are predictable and manageable. Do not take any medicines to counter these side effects. Always consult your doctor to counter any side effect that you experience. Sometimes you might be given medications prior to the treatment. You must have them even if you do not have any side effect. This is because some side effects are easy to

Care before starting chemotherapy: Before starting the treatment, try to take care of your dental health if you have time. If you have a major problem, then it should be preferably be postponed till after the treatment is over. If you take any medications or have any chronic health problems, tell your doctor about it. If you have any doubts, do have them clarifies. You can also discuss chemotherapy options with your oncologist or have a second opinion about your treatment.

Emotional support: Extending emotional support to cancer patients is very important part of chemotherapy care. When patients go for their chemotherapy sessions, they should make sure that a friend or family member accompanies them during the treatment. The family members should be very supportive in adjusting to the lifestyle changes that patients might need to make during the treatment. The patients and their family members can enroll for various counseling programs offered by the cancer hospital where they are undergoing treatment. These patients can also join a local support group where they can share their experiences. Surveys reveal that patients who join support groups or counseling sessions have a better survival rate than those who did not.

Infection during chemotherapy: During chemotherapy, the blood count of the patients becomes very low. This increases the risk of infection, anemia and bleeding at the site of small cuts. The patients should take care not to visit crowded places as they might get more exposed to infection, and thereby increase their risk of getting infected. They should also avoid going near someone who already has an infectious disease.

Before and during the treatment, the doctors closely monitor the blood counts of the patients. If they find that the blood count during the treatment become dangerously low, then they might stop the treatment temporarily or reduce the dosage or frequency of the drugs.

In case you have fever that is more than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit, difficulty in breathing, gain weight suddenly, any heart or lung problems, or difficulty in urinating, contact your doctor immediately. Ask your health care provider for emergency numbers before you get started with the treatment. You can also ask what other side effects should be reported immediately.

Coping with hair loss: Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy treatment. You can ask your health care provider before the treatment, if you will lose hair during the treatment. Usually, all the hair of the body falls off during the treatment. This includes hair on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes and other parts of the body. You can choose to cover your head with a wig or a scarf, or a hat. Some people may prefer not to cover their head at all, while some might have their heads shaved when their hair starts falling as they cannot bear to see it fall. Your hair will grow back when the treatment stops.

Coping with nausea: Doctors can prescribe anti-emetic drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting that occurs due to chemotherapy treatment. Many patients are prescribed these drugs even before the treatment starts. It is important to have these drugs according to the schedule, and even if you do not experience this side effect. A common side effect of anti-emetic drugs is hiccups. In case these hiccups do not stop, seek advice of your doctor or nurse.

Here are a few tips to reduce nausea and vomiting:

• Eat several times a day. Having large meals can burden your stomach; have small portions several times a day.
• Plan what you will eat for the next day and prepare accordingly.
• Include foods that you like in your main course.
• Do not skip your meals as nausea and vomiting tend to become worse on an empty stomach.
• Have plenty of water and fluids throughout the day. You can have juices, herbal tea, smoothies, milk shakes, and sports drinks. But do not have soda.
• Do not drink large amounts of these fluids immediately after meals. Chew your food properly.
• Avoid foods that are very spicy, have lots of fat, or high sugar content.
• Do not lie down immediately after meals. Try to postpone it at least half an hour after your main course.
• Try a new recipe and see if you like to eat something new.
• Always keep a snack handy so that you can eat when you feel like.

Chemotherapy care is required even after the treatment is over, as patients might experience loss of appetite (anorexia), difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), and even diarrhea. Most of these go away sometime after the treatment is over. Talk to your doctor about any specific side effect that you are experiencing. Take all the precautions that your doctor asks you to.