how should i expect to feel after my first chemo treatment

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Mar 08, 2013 · They may have you wait 30 minutes after the chemotherapy is done to make sure you don't have any reactions to the medications. At that point, you can go home. Again, depending on your pre-medications and chemotherapy, you may have lots of energy or may feel very sleepy later in the day. Rachel Midgett is a 41-year-old stage IV breast cancer patient. Her journey …

Is it normal to feel good after the first chemo?

What Happen with You after the First Round of Chemotherapy Treatment. Patients experiece different body reactions after first-time (round) of chemotherapy. You can expect: Gaining weight during and after chemo; Losing hairs (that makes you having cancer very visible) You may start looking aged after the treatment. Your eyes may have dark circles

What do you need to do before you start chemotherapy?

Jul 10, 2021 · 59. Getty. If chemotherapy is part of your cancer treatment plan, you’re probably (understandably) nervous. Nearly everyone knows chemo can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss and other unpleasant side effects. But your doctors and treatment team will guide you through the process and help you manage these symptoms.

What to bring on your first day of chemo?

It is normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when you find out that you need chemotherapy. However, learning more about this type of cancer treatment may help you feel more prepared and less anxious. The information in this article can help you get ready for your first treatment.Who is on my chemotherapy team?A highly trained medical team will work together to give you the best

What to expect on your first day of chemotherapy?

Jul 29, 2020 · The duration of the infusion will depend on the type of chemotherapy and can be anything from 30 minutes to eight hours. If you feel any burning sensation at the site of the drip/port site, or in the vein of that arm, you need to tell the nursing staff immediately. It is very important that the chemotherapy does not leak into your tissues.

How many days after chemo do you feel better?

What are the side effects of first chemo?

How long after your first chemo treatment do you get sick?

Can you feel better after one chemo treatment?

What should you not do after chemo?

Does chemo get worse with each treatment?

What should I do the night before chemo?

What makes chemo patients feel better?

What are the signs that chemo is working?

How can I stay strong during chemo?

Before You Start Chemotherapy

Meeting with your oncologist. Before you start chemotherapy, you will meet with your medical oncologist. He or she will review your medical records...

Questions to Ask Before Chemotherapy Starts

Before chemotherapy starts is a good time to ask questions. These may include: 1. Learning more about the schedule and side effects of your specifi...

Planning For Your Chemotherapy Treatments

Preparing for side effects. Depending on the most common side effects of your chemotherapy, your doctor may recommend planning for nausea and vomit...

What Happens on Your First Day of IV Chemotherapy

You may want to bring a friend or family member on your first day of treatment. This person can support you and help you remember information. You...

Giving Chemotherapy With A Port

Before your first appointment, you might have minor surgery to put in a port. This is a round metal or plastic disk that the IV goes in during trea...

How Long Does IV Chemotherapy take?

Your IV chemotherapy can take minutes, hours, or several days if you have continuous infusion chemotherapy. You do not need to stay at the hospital...

After Your IV Chemotherapy

After your treatment is finished, the nurse or another team member will take out your IV. If you have a port, it will stay until you finish all of...

What happens after chemo?

What Happen with You after the First Round of Chemotherapy Treatment. Patients experiece different body reactions after first-time (round) of chemotherapy. You can expect: Gaining weight during and after chemo. Losing hairs (that makes you having cancer very visible) You may start looking aged after the treatment.

What to do before chemo?

Meeting your oncologist. Before you begin chemotherapy, you will meet with your medical oncologist. She or he will examine your medical records and do a health examination. You will also have tests done to help plan treatment. Your specific treatment depends upon:

How long is a chemotherapy cycle?

The length of a cycle depends on the treatment being given. The majority of cycles range from 2 to 6 weeks. The number of treatment dosages set up within each cycle also differs depending upon the drugs being given.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Depending on the most typical side effects of your chemotherapy, your doctor may advise preparing for nausea and vomiting, hair loss, reproductive problems, and opposite effects .

What is the role of an oncologist in cancer treatment?

Your oncologist deals with other staff member to develop your treatment plan. She or he is also in charge of your chemotherapy treatments. Oncology nurse. An oncology nurse looks after patients with cancer, including giving chemotherapy He or she answers concerns and assists support you and your household.

What does an oncology nurse do?

An oncology nurse looks after patients with cancer, including giving chemotherapy He or she answers concerns and assists support you and your household. Your nurse likewise helps monitor your health during treatment. This can consist of handling any side effects. Other healthcare specialists.

What happens after IV is finished?

After your treatment is finished, the nurse or another employee will secure your IV. If you have a port, it will remain until you end up all your treatments. The nurse will examine your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and temperature once again.

What to do before starting chemo?

Before Starting Chemotherapy. If possible, ask your healthcare provider for a tour of your infusion center. Some cancer treatment centers have private rooms for chemotherapy; at others, patients are in a common area. Seeing the space in advance will help you prepare mentally—and decide what to bring along during chemo sessions.

How is chemo administered?

Types of Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be administered via pills, capsules or medicated liquid. It can also be infused into the bloodstream via an IV or injected directly into the body. You and your doctor will discuss which chemotherapy drugs and administration process is most likely to successfully attack your cancer.

Can chemo cause hair loss?

Nearly everyone knows chemo can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss and other unpleasant side effects. But your doctors and treatment team will guide you through the process and help you manage these symptoms. Learning more about chemotherapy drugs, how they’re administered, and chemo side effects may help put your mind at ease as you prepare ...

Can you draw blood from a port?

When needed, healthcare providers can draw blood samples from ports and implanted catheters. Catheters and ports typically stay in place throughout the entire course of chemotherapy treatment.

Where is the catheter implanted?

Some have a thin catheter implanted in their chest or forearm. Others have a port implanted under the skin of the chest; this port connects directly to a large vein and can be easily accessed with a needle. When needed, healthcare providers can draw blood samples from ports and implanted catheters.

What to do before chemo?

Before chemotherapy starts, talk with your team about the financial considerations of your treatment, including specific insurance coverage. You may want to contact organizations that can provide financial support. This could be important if your health insurance does not cover the whole cost of treatment.

How to help someone with chemotherapy?

Make a caregiving plan. People receiving chemotherapy may need extra help during treatment with transportation, household chores, and other tasks. Family and friends can provide valuable support during this time, called caregiving. Ask your team what type of caregiving at home you may need during and after treatment.

How long does chemo last?

Most chemotherapy treatments are given in repeating cycles. The length of a cycle depends on the drug (s) you receive. Most cycles range from 2 to 6 weeks. The number of treatment doses scheduled within each cycle also depends on the prescribed chemotherapy.

Is chemotherapy a maintenance therapy?

Sometimes, chemotherapy treatment is ongoing as a maintenance therapy. Give permission for chemotherapy. Your doctor will talk with you about the possible risks and benefits of chemotherapy. This discussion will include potential short-term side effects and late effects of the chemotherapy.

What is the best treatment for cancer?

Relieving physical and emotional side effects is an important part of your overall cancer treatment. This type of care is called palliative care or supportive care . Talk with your health care team about the side effects you experience and ways to manage and treat them. Learn more about the side effects of chemotherapy.

Is chemotherapy expensive?

Cancer treatment can be costly. Before chemotherapy starts, talk with your team about the financial considerations of your treatment, including specific insurance coverage. You may want to contact organizations that can provide financial support.

How is chemo given?

The most common way that chemotherapy drugs are given is through a needle into a vein. This is called intravenous or IV chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can also be taken as a pill, capsule, or liquid by mouth, as an injection or shot, or as a cream that is put directly on your skin.

Dr Sarita Retief explains what to expect when you go for your first chemotherapy cycle

If there is one thing that COVID-19 has taught us all, is that it is very difficult to deal with an unknown future. And that is what everyone must go through at the start of chemotherapy.

MEET THE EXPERT – Dr Sarita Retief

Dr Sarita Retief is currently working as a clinical and radiation oncologist at Nelspruit Mediclinic in the private sector. She completed pre- and post-graduate studies at the University of the Free State.

How to recover from chemo?

Remember that chemo affects every cell in your body. Stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water or juice . If you feel ​​ fuzzy brained from the medications, try a hot tub soak.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

If you have side effects from chemotherapy that are bothersome, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, swelling, or unusual pain around the injection site, write these down. Your doctor or nurse will need to know how often you're having problems, how severe they are, and how you're coping.

Does chemotherapy include drugs?

Every chemotherapy infusion includes a mix of drugs. Some are actually cancer-killing drugs, others are medications which help alleviate side effects. Ask questions about all of the drugs you receive, including:

When is the first round of chemo?

on September 23, 2020. If you're about to go for your first round of chemotherapy, you may have lots of questions along with some fears. Your oncologist will talk about the drugs you will receive and potential side effects, as well as how often you will need to be seen. Yet there are many tips that don't often make their way into those ...

How long before chemo do you eat?

Two to three hours before an infusion, eat light and make your choices high-fiber. Chemo drugs tend to slow peristalsis (digestion and bowel processes), so whatever you eat may be in your digestion for longer than usual and will dry out. 1 

What is the blood test for chemo?

Before you have each round of chemo, you will have a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). Your CBC provides a reading on all of the types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow which can be affected by chemotherapy.

Can you drive yourself to chemo?

Some people plan on driving themselves to chemo if their first infusion goes well. Yet there are many reasons why it's beneficial to have a chemo buddy who can drive you, take notes and help ask questions, and keep you company through your infusion.