Chemotherapy may cause fatigue, nausea, or a low blood count. Everyday tasks may be challenging to think about, let alone complete, when experiencing these side effects. Practical support may help, which people can provide by: arranging medical appointments.
It's normal for people getting chemo to be moody, and they may feel anxious, depressed, afraid, angry, frustrated, alone, or helpless. It can help to talk to other people going through the same thing. Ask the cancer care team or the American Cancer Society about in-person or online support groups.
There are certain safety precautions that might be needed during and after getting chemo. Unless your health care team tells you differently, you can usually be around family and friends during the weeks and months you're getting chemo.
If possible, patients should use a separate toilet from others in the home. Always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. Caregivers must wear gloves when handling the patients' blood, urine, stool, or emesis. Dispose of the gloves after each use and wash your hands.
Is there any risk to family and friends? You may worry about the safety of family and friends while you are having chemotherapy. There is little risk to visitors (including children, babies and pregnant women) because they aren't likely to come into contact with any chemotherapy drugs or body fluids.
This is especially important: During cold and flu season, when more people are sick. During your nadir, the period of time beginning about 7-12 days after you finish each chemotherapy dose-and possibly lasting for 5-7 days-is when you may be at the greatest risk for infection.
"WOW, did they remove your breasts?" “I know so & so who had the same type of cancer and they were just fine!” ...or any variation of cancer stories. "You need to get chemo and surgery but not radiation." You're not my doctor. “You don't have it as bad as ____.” Please do not compare stories.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.
It is safe to touch other people while on chemotherapy. You can hug and kiss. But you do need to protect others from coming into contact with your medicine. Follow these safety tips while taking your chemotherapy pills and for two days after you're done.
It is safe to share a bathroom with others while taking chemo. Men taking chemo should sit down to urinate to prevent splashing. Follow these steps after you use the toilet: – Clean any splashes that might be on the toilet. Disinfecting wipes work well for this.
Additionally, the patient must flush the toilet twice after each use and the bathroom to help dilute the chemo in the wastewater system.
Having Sex During Your Cancer Treatment
We recommend using a barrier device (condom or dental dam) during treatment and for a week after each treatment during oral, vaginal, or anal sex to prevent your partner from being exposed to any medication that may be in your bodily fluids.
After each chemotherapy session, the drugs may remain in your body for up to a week. This depends on the type of drugs used. The drugs are then released into urine, faeces and vomit. They could also be passed to other body fluids such as saliva, sweat, semen or vaginal discharge, and breast milk.
Give them a friendly hand squeeze or hug – it can go a long way. Ring them up, send a card, note or text to say you're thinking of them. Let them know that if they want to talk you'll be there to listen - then make sure you are available. Respect their need for privacy.
If your loved one is receiving chemotherapy or other similar medications, wash their laundry -- including sheets and towels -- separately from the rest of your household's laundry.
People going through chemotherapy may carry waste in their bodily fluids for up to a few days after treatment. Due to this, family or other household members should take precautions to stay safe.
When you start chemotherapy, your doctor will likely advise you to be extra vigilant about washing your hands and avoiding people who are sick. That's because cancer itself can increase your risk for infections, especially when you're also undergoing cancer treatments like chemo.
Most types of pain related to chemotherapy get better or go away between individual treatments. However, nerve damage often gets worse with each dose. Sometimes the drug causing the nerve damage has to be stopped.
The length of time for chemotherapy regimens can range from 5 minutes to 8 or more hours. It all depends on the chemotherapy. Throughout the chemotherapy, your nurse will come in and check your vitals and make sure you aren't reacting to the medications.
Soft clothes or blankets
Some cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, cause the skin to become hypersensitive. A pair of soft pajamas, warm socks and slippers or a fleece robe are luxurious treats for your loved one to enjoy during the winter months.
If you are cleaning up the body fluids of a chemotherapy patient, wear gloves and wash your hands afterward, she advises. Kissing and more intimate physical contact is perfectly fine. Male chemo patients, however, should use a condom for the first 48 hours after a chemo treatment, she notes.
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don't persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.