You are most at risk seven to ten days after a treatment of chemotherapy, when your white blood cells will be at its lowest. Refrain from crowds, swimming pools, gyms, public transportation during these days. When at work, ask your co-workers with cold symptoms to stay at a distance.
Wash your hands fastidiously. Use soap. Always wash your hands after toilet use and before preparing or consuming food. Also wash after shaking hands, touching doorknobs, handling common properties such as copy machines. Of course, do not bite your nails.
Shower every day and do not share your towel, toothbrush, razor and other personal items with anyone.- Take extra care of your mouth. The mouth is the dirtiest part of your body. Use a soft toothbrush to prevent tearing of gums. Use antiseptic mouthwashes after meals and before bed.
If you do get an infection, it easily can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. Monitor your temperature and call your doctor/hospital immediately if you are above 100.5°F (38°C)
Drink plenty of water
This cannot be emphasized enough. Water keeps your mouth moist and flushes wastes from your insides (kidneys and bladder). All this will prevent infections.
Avoid risky foods
When your immune system is low, do not eat foods that could be contaminated or filled with bacteria. These include:
Salads – some retain dirt even when washed (instead eat cooked organic greens)
Raw or lightly cooked eggs
Shellfish
Soft chesses
Sushi and sashimi
Look your best
A change in your appearance does not mean you have to look frumpy. Be as outrageous or classy as you want. Organizations like Look Good, Feel Better are dedicated to helping you find the right wig, draw new eye brows, keep color in your cheeks.
What happens after?
Chemotherapy can treat most cancers effectively. But there’s no way to predict its effect on your tumor until you go through it. Medical tests will determine if chemotherapy is working. Possible results are:
Absolute remission or response. Patient is monitored for reoccurrence.
Partial remission or response. This means your tumor shrank but did not disappear. You doctors will most likely recommend more chemotherapy, possibly with different drugs.
Stabilization. There’s been no increase or decrease in the size of your tumor. Other therapy possibilities will be offered.
Progression. You tumor continues to grow. More aggressive therapy might be recommended.
Secondary malignancy. This means cancer has spread to another area, which may require additional surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.