Your CBC provides a reading on all of the types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow which can be affected by chemotherapy. Your red blood cell count and hemoglobin are looked at to see if you have anemia.
This can lead to fatigue and lightheadedness. Your white blood cell count will tell your healthcare provider if you have neutropenia , a deficiency of the type of white blood cells known as neutrophils. If your neutrophil level is too low, you may be at risk for infection. With some chemotherapy regimens, your oncologist may recommend treating you with either Neulasta or Neupogen, which are medications that increase the number and activity of white blood cells in your body.
Your platelet level may also decrease, resulting in a condition called thrombocytopenia. This can lead to bruising and easy bleeding. Depending on the results of your blood tests, your oncologist may recommend delaying your chemotherapy or using specific treatments to improve your values. As part of being an empowered patient, ask your oncologist or her nurse to show you the CBC results and explain them to you.
It's also helpful to have a copy that you can keep in your records. 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:. If you've been given a prescription for post-chemo medications, get clear instructions on how and when to take these. Medications used to control nausea and vomiting differ.
Some are to be used routinely on a schedule to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea. These medications need to be taken before you feel sick to be most effective. Other nausea medications are used only on an as-needed basis, for example, if you are feeling very nauseous or vomiting. Chemotherapy drugs are very drying to your body's tissues, and the drugs will be going to every cell you have.
Right after an infusion, drink 8 ounces of water every hour until bedtime. Avoid caffeine, as it is also drying it's a diuretic and may cause you to feel worse. A benefit of drinking enough water is that it will help your body to process and flush the chemo drugs out of your system sooner, so you can start to recover sooner, too. In rare cases, such as with severe kidney disease or heart failure, it can be detrimental to drink too much water, so talk to your oncologist if you have any other serious medical conditions.
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. There is a lot of information to digest at each visit, and having a friend with you doubles your chance that you won't miss anything.
Sometimes a chemo buddy is better able to detect if you have a reaction to the chemo drugs and can point this out to you early on. The emotional support of having a friend can't be understated. Even if you and your friend each read a book, watch a movie, and don't talk, the presence of another person can lift your spirits. In our fast-paced world, we seldom have time to simply sit and talk with a friend for a few hours.
Chemotherapy offers this opportunity. 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 healthcare provider or nurse will need to know how often you're having problems, how severe they are, and how you're coping. If you have notes to refer to when you visit the healthcare provider it's easier to recall and bring up any concerns which you had.
The day after your first treatment you may feel tired or very fatigued. Chemotherapy can trigger a host of side effects, including dry mouth, taste changes, fatigue, mouth sores, and nausea.
These can make eating difficult or unappealing. Knowing what foods to eat, such as bland foods for mouth sores and wet or creamy textures for dry mouth, may help nourish your body while navigating cancer treatment.
Practicing food safety is also important to lower your risk of food poisoning. However, if you experience difficulty chewing or swallowing during your treatment, talk to your healthcare provider.
Getting your meals delivered can save major time on meal prep. Numerous foods are marketed as healthy but contain hidden ingredients. Here are 14 "health foods" that aren't as nutritious as you thought. If you're considering adding or removing meat from your diet, you may wonder whether meat is healthy.
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This article looks at the…. If you're wondering what are macronutrients, look no further. Here we explain their food sources, functions, and how much you need. Instacart is a popular grocery delivery service. This article reviews the pros and cons of Instacart, whether it's worth the price, and how it…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest. Almonds and other nuts. Pumpkin seeds. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables.
Homemade smoothies. Bread or crackers. The bottom line. Review the New Patient Packet for information about:. Our dietitians are available for 45 minute consults by appointment only, Monday — Friday from 8 a. Download our nutrition appointment flyer. Billing and insurance. Patient and Family Resource Guide. Our dietitians are available for 45 minute consults by appointment only on: Mondays — Friday, 8 a. Call us at to refer a new patient for a nutrition consultation.
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