How to deal with the side effects of chemo

Dealing with the side effects of chemo can be challenging at best. I hope some of these tips will help you and your family and friends as you embark on said journey.

Things You'll Need

• Variety of scarfs for hair loss.
• Favorite foods for dealing with nausea and vomiting.
• Understanding friends and family.

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Instructions

• 1

  The most noticeable side effect of chemo is hair loss. Some take this on full force and simply cut their hair immediately or shave their heads in anticipation of the inevitable hair loss. Others fight it every step of the way.

  Learning to use scarves for women is a great way to deal with the hair loss. Well meaning friends and family can help to collect colorful or favorite scarfs as well as hats that the patient might like before the hair loss begins.

  I once knew a gal that shaved her head when her sister went through chemotherapy. They went through hair loss together that way and it was such a precious gift. The girls were 17 and 18 at the time and no one who didn't know them really knew which one was the patient. What a wonderful gift that sister gave.

• 2

  Nausea and vomiting. Talk to your doctor and know the side effects of the medications you will be taking. Keep a journal as you go so that you will know which medications tend to affect you more than others.

  Eat smaller meals more frequently. Instead of 3 meals a day try 6 meals per day keeping them smaller and more frequent often helps to alleviate the nauseated feelings accompanied by chemo.

• 3

  Germ warfare. Crowds and public places can present a challenge to the chemo patient. With white blood counts low and germs in public areas at an all time high it just doesn't make sense to take yourself out in public and expose yourself to these germs.

  Make a plan. If you must go out in public wear a mask. Send a trusted friend on an errand instead. Plan around the days when your counts will be low and plan to have those days at home with healthy friends and family.

  You don't have to completely isolate yourself but do use common sense.

• 4

  Fatigue. Get more rest as needed. You may feel too tired to do anything. Have a trusted friend or family member available to assist you if needed. Have simple tasks but nothing complicated planned for the days immediately following your treatments.