Even as little as five years ago, chemo patients severely lost weight during treatment because of nausea. But with new anti-nausea medications, you will be able to eat. What’s more, your body will force you to eat because chemotherapy drugs are strong and demanding, making you ravenous all the time. The average weight gain is 20 to 30 pounds during the course of treatment. Don’t worry about the weight gain, you will lose it. That’s why it’s especially important to be in shape BEFORE treatment and to eat healthy foods throughout your entire regiment.
Prepare as much as possible
Once you know what to expect, visualize what life will be like during and after treatment. If you know you will lose hair, buy a great wig. Wear it to get used to your new look. Make your favorite healthy, nurturing foods and freeze them. Cancel unneeded trips and appointments.
Try to keep busy
Chemotherapy might last three months (one round every three weeks) or every week for a year. If you’re up to it, keep working and following your routine. The less time you have to fret about your reactions, the better. Of course, your level of activity is weighted against the severity and frequency of your treatment. Even if you’re weak, join yoga or tai chi or a class meant for soothing and nurturing. Many hospitals offer cancer patients these services for free.
Bring a pal and a sucker
Chemotherapy drugs can be given orally, by injection, through a catheter or port, or topically. Any way you get it, it’s unpleasant. So bring someone fun to sit with you through the course. If you must have to have a needle jabbed into the back of your hand for half an hour, it’s best to be laughing with a pal to pass time. Some drugs can leave a metallic taste, so bring suckers to block the unpleasantness.
Be super clean
Chemotherapy weakens the immune system because it destroys cancerous and beneficial cells. You must adamantly prevent from getting sick because a small infection can increase to a full-blown illness when your immune system is weak. It’s a Catch-22. Don’t get sick, at a time when you’re most likely to get sick. Remember these tips: