Chemotherapy in most cases helps to completely eradicate cancer. The side effects arising from chemotherapy are usually gone once the treatment is over. But in some cases, there are a few side effects that continue to persist even after the treatment is stopped. Some effects might also appear after several years from the treatment. In some cases, the cancer also bounces back or there is a different cancer that the patient might get affected of. Hence, the patients have to be continuously monitored to see if their cancer does not relapse. During their course of treatment and in their life after chemotherapy treatment, they have to undergo so much that being ‘normal’ sounds like a luxury. Follow-up Care

The main aim of the doctors in the long run is to prepare a follow-up plan for the patients and counsel them to have regular check-ups. A follow-up treatment for a patient means visiting a doctor for a regular check up. This depends on the type of cancer you have had, the treatment given for the cancer, your overall health and your age.

Usually, after undergoing a chemotherapy treatment and other methods of treatment for cancer, the patients need to visit their doctors after every three to 4 months during the first couple of years. After that, the patient might need to make a visit only once or twice in a year. These visits are important because the doctor checks if the cancer has relapsed, or spread to any other part of the body or if the patient needs some treatment for any side effects of chemotherapy.

These visits usually involve reviewing the medical history of the patient, conducting a thorough physical examination. The patient is also asked to have blood tests, CT scan, MRI, or an endoscopy. The patients should ask the doctor as what follow-up plan the doctor has. This plan might vary according to the cancer and chemotherapy treatment that you have had. When the patients visit the doctor, he or she should be ready with a list of questions for the doctor. A patient should take down the name and numbers of doctors and hospitals that can be contacted in case of emergency and in case the patient senses something is wrong with his or her health.

Keep a record of all the follow-up visits and also maintain a file that contains the various reports conducted during the course of your follow-up. These records should include the pathology reports right from the time when you are diagnosed of cancer till the completion of the treatment. You can have two files: one for pathology reports conducted during the treatment, and the other for the reports after the treatment is over. In case if you change your doctor for any reason, this summary will help your new doctor to prepare your new follow-up plan.

Some tips to live happy life after chemotherapy :

• Always talk to your medical advisors and doctors to know the exact cause of the problem and how it can be reduced. Inform them about your eating habits and your entire routine that you follow in the day.
• If you are taking more medications that might affect your energy level, then keep a check on the medications that you take.
• Change your diet and include intake of fresh fruits, vegetable and fluids. It is best to discuss about nutrition for chemotherapy patients with your doctor before you start a different diet. Nutritional supplements can be taken if patients feel very weak.
• Indulge into light exercise during chemotherapy. These might include walking or other relaxing exercises. You might also progress the exercises and include strength training slowly and gradually.

 A Few Pointers

• When you visit your doctor, feel free to talk to your doctor. Provide the entire medical information that your doctor asks for. Talk about your daily routine. If you have any problems or think that you have developed any symptoms, inform them to the concerned doctor. Do not hesitate to ask about a medicine or risks involved in your treatment. You can talk about any health issues that bother you.
• Try to save energy by changing a few ways of how you use to do the things earlier. For example, sit while you cook of wash utensils, take small naps in between activities, plan your sleep time and complete your sleep before you wake up, do not indulge into activities that you enjoy a lot for a longer time, pick up new hobbies and interests that don’t leave you tired.
• You can also consider using alternative medicines along with your treatment like yoga, psychotherapy, acupressure, acupuncture, homeopathy, and massage. However, before you start any of these medicines, consult your doctor first. If your doctor advices you against any of them, avoid them. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and be health conscious. Ask questions to your doctor to clarify all your doubts. Be alert to any symptoms that you might notice. You can also think of joining a support group or groups where you will be able to talk about your feelings discuss about your life after chemotherapy and help cope with stress.