What to Expect With Chemo

A person's experience with chemotherapy depends on many different things. You can expect to work in tandem with your doctor to choose a course of treatment, or a combination of treatments, that best meets your needs. Here are some general things to expect during chemotherapy.

Method of Delivery

• Chemo can be delivered in many ways: in pill form, in a shot, in an injection or directly onto the cancer.

Where the Treatment Happens

• Depending on the type of chemotherapy, it can be delivered at home or in an inpatient or outpatient medical facility. Ask your doctor about your options for treatment locations.

Side Effects

• The side effects of chemo also vary based on which drug is given, how often it's given and the patient's state of health at the time of the treatment. Some common side effects are hair loss, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores and nail changes.

Self-Care

• Your doctor will most likely to prescribe self-care methods to help you recover faster. Expect that you may need someone to help you care for yourself while you recover, even if you're used to living alone.

Frequency

• All chemotherapy is not given with the same frequency. How often you get this treatment depends on a lot of things including the type of cancer you have and which chemotherapy drug you're taking.