If your doctor has advised you to get chemotherapy, it is quite normal to feel anxious and uneasy. You may get fearful, and lots of thoughts can surround your brain.
You may even picture yourself lying on a hospital bed with an IV drip. But, not everything that you see in movies is true. In this article, we have come up with some of the facts about chemotherapy that will certainly surprise you.
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What Are The Facts About Chemotherapy And How Effective It Is?
There are lots of ways to get chemotherapy through pills, drips, and even skin creams. In addition to this, side effects can vary from one person to another. So check all these surprising facts about chemotherapy and be prepared for what lies ahead:
You don’t need to stay overnight in the hospital
You might not know, but you may not need to visit the hospital if you are getting chemotherapy. You can also get treatment at your home, a doctor’s office, and a clinic. Thus, you don’t always have to stay overnight at a hospital to get chemotherapy. The type of treatment can depend on the type of chemotherapy you are getting. It can also depend upon several other factors like:
- The type of cancer you are suffering from
- If you had previous exposure to chemotherapy
- Any other health issues that you might be facing
- Your goal and preferences
You can work during chemotherapy.
Chemo is not always as fearful as you may think. Many people also work during the treatment. If you don’t know what to expect, you can have a flexible schedule for yourself. You can try to work full time or part-time if you want. But, all you need to pay attention to is to do your job without too much exhaustion.
Side effects can differ.
There are different ways by which chemo can affect your body. Some people may feel fatigued while others may face hair loss, nausea, and mood changes. But, keep in mind that the side effects are not the same for everyone. Some people may have to face severe side effects, while others may face none. It totally depends on the type of drugs you are given. It is challenging to expect until you get the treatment.
Side effects can show even after months.
Chemotherapy also has long-lasting side effects. Some of the major side effects include:
- Lung, heart, and kidney issues
- Infertility
- Damage to nerves
- Chances of second cancer.
Chemotherapy is also used for the treatment of other diseases
You will be totally surprised by this fact about chemotherapy. Chemo drugs can easily kill the fast-dividing cells. Thus, doctors sometimes use it as a method to treat other health conditions. It can be used for the treatment of the following conditions:
- If your doctors need to prepare for bone marrow stem cell transplant
- If you need treatment for an overactive immune disease. For example, it can be used in the treatment of diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Certain OTC drugs can interfere with chemotherapy.
This fact about chemotherapy can be highly beneficial for people who are thinking about undergoing therapy anytime soon. You may think that vitamins are safe and essential to improve your health conditions, and sometimes it is also true. But, consumption of high doses of vitamins can also backfire on chemotherapy. It can interfere with the way some drugs function. It is advisable to get in touch with your doctor about the vitamins and other OTC drugs that you take.
Feeling anxious and uneasy is normal.
On the first day of your chemotherapy, you may wake up with fear in your heart as you are not sure about how everything will work in the end. But, this fear is quite normal. Try to indulge in an activity that you love to get rid of the fear.
Not all chemo drugs will lead to hair loss.
With the infusion of chemo drugs, you will need to visit the hospital for a few hours of treatment. The side effects can vary depending upon the type of chemo drug you use. Some mild symptoms include pain, nausea, and vomiting. While some drugs can lead to severe symptoms like loss of appetite, taste, and smell.
We hope all these facts about chemotherapy will prepare you for your chemo session. We hope you will recover soon.