Chemo Side Effects

Every person's side effects from chemo are different. I experienced some unexpected really great days and some that I am truly grateful are in my rearview mirror. Sometimes my body reacted in ways that the doctor and nurses expected. Sometimes it surprised them with unpredicted allergic reactions. Your body is different. Your experience will be different. Instead of describing my personal side effects in detail, below are some general things I learned. Hopefully, you will find them helpful, maybe reassuring.

The one thing you can take comfort in, is that the side effects from chemo are NOT like they have so often been portrayed in movies. Thankfully, there are drugs and medical guidance that will help you avoid endless amounts of time with your head tilted over the toilet. Chances are you will experience nausea but it may not be as miserable as you may anticipate. Over time you will learn what tastes and smells exacerbate the situation so you can avoid them.

You may experience pain. Mine arrived a couple of days following my chemo. Originally, I thought I would tough it out and not take anything. I was wrong. I should have followed my nurses and doctors advice from the beginning instead of trying to be macho woman. By letting the pain accelerate and worsen it became extremely difficult for the pain pills to do their work. You need to follow you doctor's advice. In my case they told me to take a pill when the pain was a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. Once I started doing that, I not only was able to manage my pain I needed less medication.

Expect a dip in your energy. Your body is working hard combating disease and it gets tired. You will feel fatigued. The last thing I felt like doing on the days when fatigue and pain were my companion, was exercise. As it turned out, I discovered that even 10 minutes on the treadmill actually gave me more energy and helped to lessen the pain. Thankfully, a friend loaned me his treadmill. Surprisingly it made a wonderful difference in both my mental and physical well being during the months of my chemo treatments. You don't have to walk on a treadmill. It is getting up and moving that makes the difference. It is hard to make yourself exercise when you don't feel good. We find excuses even when we are feeling tip-top. I hope you will try to do a little something on those low days. It will make a positive difference.

Just when you think you can predict what is going to happen, it will be different. It is easy to think that you know what to expect after you have experienced a couple of treatments and their side effects. Beware some effects may be accumulative and worsen with additional chemo. Some may disappear. You need to take each day as it comes and be candid with your doctor and nurses. They aren't members of Psychic Friends Network. They can't read your mind. You need to speak up and share what is happening and you need to listen and pay attention to their guidance.

There is much that is still unknown about cancer. There is much about it that we can't control.

One thing that each of us can control is our attitude. Maintaining a positive attitude, especially when facing life's challenges, can be difficult. I'm not suggesting you be a Polly Anna, happy go lucky person in the face of cancer. However remaining hopeful and believing in possibilities has proven to make a positive difference.

Never underestimate the power of your self-talk. Make sure you are as encouraging to yourself as you are to your friends and family.

Surround yourself with positive energy from family and friends. No drama, no "you poor thing" you need happy, hopeful vibes in your life.

You will no doubt learn much as you experience your own journey through your chemo treatments. I hope all goes well for you.