In cancer care, chemotherapy is one of the most commonly approached treatments. Going through cancer treatments can be physically and emotionally challenging, especially for the first time. Cancer treatment involves a wide range of steps, including chemotherapy, depending on the type, stage and location of the cancer.
Chemotherapy is an effective cancer treatment, and you can consult a highly trusted doctor for chemotherapy in Siliguri or near you. Appearing for a chemo session for the first time may feel overwhelming, as this treatment has some significant side effects. However, following some important steps, you can prepare yourself for the first chemo session. This will help you manage the side effects and prepare mentally and physically.
Let's Understand How Chemotherapy Works
Chemotherapy incorporates drugs with powerful chemicals to destroy the fast-growing cancer cells in your body. To treat cancer, chemotherapy has been a major treatment. Chemotherapy involves different types of drugs, which can be used alone or in combination for cancer treatment. Different types of chemotherapy drugs treat different variants of cancer. Chemo drugs can be infused intravenously through a vein, whereas some are given as an injection, in the form of pills or applied to the skin.
It is a systemic treatment used in cycles that incorporates the drugs that travel through the bloodstream to reach all parts of your body. It also targets the cancer cells that have metastasised to areas away from the original part. This is why chemotherapy is different from local treatments like radiation and surgery, which work on a certain part of the body.
However, chemotherapy often cannot differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells in the body. Therefore, chemotherapy causes some significant side effects that can go away in weeks or may take months or years to go away.
Know some of the side effects to expect with Chemotherapy:
● Fatigue: You may experience extreme exhaustion after chemotherapy. This is one of the most common side effects of the treatment and may last for months throughout the treatment. You can take professional guidance on the first chemo session side effects for better management.
● Nausea and Vomiting: Chemotherapy drugs can leave you feeling nauseated and vomiting frequently. You can feel your gut is sick at some point. It is often manageable with medications.
● Hair Loss: One of the prevalent side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss or hair thinning within a few weeks after the treatment starts. Though hairs regrow after treatment ends, but they may differ in colour and texture.
● Losing Appetite: Chemotherapy induces powerful drugs that can lead to loss of appetite. You may experience loss of taste in foods that have a bitter or metallic taste.
● Changes in Skin: You can experience a wide range of skin conditions due to chemotherapy side effects, including rashes and hand-foot syndrome, which are common. This treatment can also cause irritation and sensitivity of your skin to sun exposure.
● Difficulty with Memory: Chemo drugs can also result in struggling to memorise and think clearly. This condition is known as chemo brain, causing difficulty in focus and thinking during and after the treatment.
● Issues in Kidney and Bladder: Certain chemo drugs can make it hard for you to pee or empty your bladder. It can cause pain or a burning sensation when you pee or feel the urge to pee.
● Mouth Sores: You can experience difficulty in eating due to sores throughout the digestive tract, such as the mouth, gums, and throat. It can be painful to eat because of these sores caused by the side effects of chemotherapy treatment.
● Lowered Sex Drive: Chemotherapy drugs can significantly affect fertility with reduced estrogen and testosterone. It can impact your sex drive and ability to conceive children, often leading to early menopause.
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Know How You Can Prepare for Your First Chemo Session
Undergoing a chemo session for the first time may feel confusing and full of speculation. Usage of chemo drugs differs depending on cancer types, locations and how far the cancer is spread. Chemotherapy drugs are administered in multiple sessions to kill the cancer cells in your body. You can beat your anxiety and prepare for your first chemo session with some helpful steps, such as :
● Discuss With Your Oncologist: When appearing for the first infusion for chemotherapy, nothing like knowing about the treatment more. Make sure you discuss the potential things to expect before with your health care provider. This will help you begin as an informed being.
● Hydration is Crucial: You should maintain proper hydration before the treatment. Chemotherapy can involve a peripheral IV or IV in the arm of some cancer patients who require drinking plenty of water. Certain chemo drugs can have side effects that can leave you dehydrated. Hence, keeping yourself hydrated will help in increasing blood volume, making the veins easily accessible.
● Eat Light: It is important to eat a balanced and light meal before treatment. Intake foods that are light and comfortable for your stomach, like porridge, fruits, and boiled vegetables. Refrain from eating foods which are spicy, oily, heavy meals and hard to digest.
● Practice Stress Management: It is normal to feel stressed and anxious before your first chemo session. You can follow some stress management techniques to feel better, such as some breathing exercises, talking to a loved one, journaling, listening to calming music and any religious practice that you value.
● Expect Possible Hair Loss: Make yourself mentally prepared for significant hair thinning and complete hair loss after chemotherapy. Staying mentally prepared for a changed appearance will help in managing the disappointments.
● Ensure support: Chemotherapy can lead to dizziness and nausea during the first few sessions. Make sure a family member or a loved one is always there with you to accompany you throughout the treatment. Arrange a transport that will transfer you between home and the hospital.
● Wear a Comfortable Dress: Make sure you wear a comfortable, loose and soft dress, making it easier to access your arms for transfusions. Wearing a comfortable dress will help you when sitting for long hours.
Final Thoughts
Chemotherapy is a journey, and every session brings you closer to the path of recovery. By following the above mentioned tips, you can help yourself prepare for your first chemo session. Remind yourself that with chemotherapy, you are taking stronger steps towards healing while celebrating small milestones with a positive outlook. You can undergo chemotherapy in Siliguri for effective cancer care and optimal management.
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