Many people warned me about losing my appetite, developing distastes for certain … wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of chemical drug therapy meant to destroy rapidly growing cells in the body. I had already started to prepare myself physically and mentally for what I am soon going to face. Chemotherapy is a treatment option for most types of breast cancer. Learn more about Nicole's journey through chemotherapy and breast cancer. Pack jackets, sweatshirts, scarves and warm socks. Bring warm clothing layers in case you get cold. Depending on the most common side effects of your chemotherapy, your doctor may recommend planning for nausea and vomiting, hair loss, reproductive issues, and other … 1. Recovering from a Double Mastectomy was more challenging than I had expected! The truth is that while some people have a rough time with chemotherapy… At your infusion center, there should be a dietitian on site who can provide cancer-related diet and nutrition information for you. Organize your medical records. Blanket and pillow. Try meditation and yoga as relaxation techniques or take a bubble bath and listen to... Eat a … These, especially smoking give you a higher risk of developing new cancer and triggering treated cancer to reoccur. Preparing for chemotherapy for breast cancer can help reduce your stress level by helping you understand what to expect. However, it comes with a multitude of side effects that take a toll on both your physical and mental health. Some people experience better chemotherapy when wearing ice-cold cap the hospital provides. Get advice from a counselor about how to talk to your children about your chemotherapy. A breast cancer survivor’s guide to preparing for chemotherapy. Breast Reconstruction – questions about reconstructive surgery, insurance issues and possible side effects. Ask questions. Chemotherapy for breast cancer . wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. An important part of cancer care is relieving side effects. Preparing for side effects. How to Prepare for Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer . Chemotherapy for breast cancer uses drugs to target and destroy breast cancer cells. However, a number of general issues are worth considering in advance. How to Prepare for Breast Cancer Chemotherapy|first chemotherapy treatment Chemotherapy Dress comfortably. Choose relaxing music or inspiring books to gain some support. Organization can help you become more comfortable with the journey ahead. In many cases, a combination of two or more medicines will be used as chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Discuss what kind of changes they can expect in not only their daily routine, but also your appearance. Chemotherapy is a treatment option for breast cancer. Your doctor may even suggest taking them for several days prior to your chemotherapy treatment. Preparing for Chemotherapy Many people have scary images of chemotherapy , and associate cancer with chemotherapy’s side effects. and ovarian. A person undergoing chemotherapy generally needs twice amount of calories compared to those who are not. Here are some ways to prepare for your first session: Ensure safe and easy venous access. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Read these 7 tips to help you identify your teams and learn about hard facts relating to your treatment protocol. Remember that you have the final say in what goes in your body for treatment. Minimize stressful situations. First, you may be told to show up a couple of hours early to get blood work drawn. If this is the case with you, have your hairdresser shave your head, and buy a wig, scarf, or hat as you will most likely experience hair loss as part of your chemotherapy side effects. Eat Light. Chemotherapy … Preparing ahead for radiation therapy for breast cancer, whether radiation after a lumpectomy or after mastectomy, can pay off in spades later on when you begin to experience fatigue and the visits become tiresome. Schedule an appointment with your dentist and ask your doctor if you need any additional vaccinations to help protect your body during chemotherapy. Prepare your mental status and reassure yourself that chemotherapy will give you a chance to improve your health and minimize the effects of the existing breast cancer. Chemotherapy for breast cancer . The medication is systemic, meaning it travels through the bloodstream to every area of the body. In many cases, chemotherapy medicines are given in combination, which means you get two or three different medicines at the same time. My Breast Cancer Journey, Part 2- How I Prepared for Chemotherapy - View Blog Post - Patient - Blog | Ambry Genetics Blog by Guest27968044 | 7 years, 6 month(s) ago 0 LIKES Like UnLike. July 2013. How to prepare for chemotherapy for breast cancer. This is called palliative care or supportive care. Get plenty of sleep overnight and rest often during the day if possible. valkyrie. Planning for your chemotherapy treatments. Minimize stressful situations. Your email address will not be published. If you are breastfeeding, usually this is completely normal! Preparing for chemotherapy. Calming teas like peppermint. similar to chemotherapy for other cancers, chemotherapy for breast cancer may trigger some side effects the patient needs to anticipate, such as: Make yourself as comfortable as possible during the process. Preparing for chemotherapy for breast cancer can help reduce your stress level by helping you understand what to expect. Try meditation and yoga as relaxation techniques or take a bubble bath and listen to relaxing music. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I have been hit with breast cancer again after 29 years clear. First, you may be told to show up a couple of hours early to get blood work drawn. I dislike the catheters because they hurt like hell. This article has been viewed 12,936 times. A chemotherapy session may take only a few hours, but you might have side effects for days or weeks afterward. Adding information about chemotherapy benefits and side effects will be beneficial for you. Prepare your mental status and reassure yourself that chemotherapy will give you a chance to improve your health and minimize the effects of the existing breast cancer. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 8. Expert patient Jacki Donaldson explains how to prepare for chemotherapy, including obtaining all of the information you … But you’re more likely to get infections when you’re on it. Are there any health or safety concerns for the family? Do not smoke or drink alcohol and caffeinated drinks before the treatment. Breast cancer and chemotherapy are two words I never thought would be part of my personal vocabulary, but now they're part of my #chemolife. 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