Experiences with Having Chemotherapy Treatments
Chemotherapy is a common drug treatment that uses strong chemicals to destroy fast-growing cancer cells. However, chemotherapy often damages healthy cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy, ways it is administered, and side effects. Every patient reacts to chemotherapy differently. Here is some information about what to expect through chemotherapy from patients with firsthand experiences and insights.
There are extensive side effects to chemotherapy. The real question is - ‘How will I deal with the side effects of chemo?’. There are resources you can use such as, ChemoCare.com and the American Cancer Society’s guide to chemotherapy, to find out ways to deal with the side effects. WhatNexters have suggested finding distractions, forms of exercise, supplements, changing diet, drinking lots of water, sugar free candies for dry mouth, doing things to make yourself feel good about your appearance (manicure, pedicure, massage, etc.), and keeping a detailed list of side effects for your doctor.
You can know everything there is to know about chemotherapy, and still not know what you need to know. The best advice on coping through chemotherapy comes from those that have gone through it themselves. Explore what others have been through regarding chemotherapy, ask questions, and get firsthand feedback on your specific chemotherapy treatment.
Don't forget to view our Beginner's Guide to Cancer.
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- Menve
- Experience with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lym...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
First round of R-CHOP done 1/6/21
Easy to Do: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
- EileenS
- Experience with Non-Small Cell, Lung C...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
I had difficulty with the steroids that accompanied my chemo treatments. After adjuvant chemo I lost my hair, which I handled well ...
Easy to Do: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree -
- Pilldr
- Experience with Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Folfox..only side effect was neuropathy.which persists 3 years later.
Easy to Do: Not Specified Minimal Side Effects: Not Specified Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Not Specified -
- Pilldr
- Experience with Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
FOLFIRI almost killed me.
Easy to Do: Strongly Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Strongly Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Disagree -
- RhondaM
- Experience with Adenocarcinoma, Lung C...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Feeling sick to stomach; vomiting and diarrhea.
Easy to Do: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
- hscancer
- Experience with Invasive (Infiltratin...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
I had the last two sessions of chemotherapy in July. My Oncologist reduced the dose of Taxol to decrease side effects and that worke...
Easy to Do: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree -
- Dslaughter
- Experience with Triple-Negative Bre...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
The chemo was very strong it burned my skin on my arms and my hands and it cost neuropathy and I was very weak from it but I still t...
Easy to Do: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
- rethaj8423
- Experience with Head & Neck/Throat ...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
My husband did 6 weeks of cisplatin and it was really hard on him, his energy level was a constant zero. He was nausea always and ha...
Easy to Do: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Agree -
- RobinW
- Experience with Renal Cell Carcinoma
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Biggest side effect was fatigue initially. As time progresses bone and muscle pain started and increased over time.
Easy to Do: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
- Shamitch
- Experience with Lobular carcinoma in ...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Taking Keytruda infusions every 3 weeks
Easy to Do: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree -
- Tfetterhoff
- Experience with Endometrioid, Ovar...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Got very dehydrated during chemo and was hospitalized twice for it
Easy to Do: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
- mandybruin
- Experience with Invasive (Infiltrat...
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
I started Tecentriq+Abraxane in 10/2019. Side effects were minimal. The biggest was the Abraxane took out my hair and my eyebrows.
Easy to Do: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree