Chemotherapy: What to Expect
If you look up chemotherapy treatment on Google, MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the first links to pop up. Thinking about chemotherapy can be scary, but knowing more about how it works, side effects, and the procedure itself can help you be more comfortable with a path to being cancer free. While going through this, staying at Premier Patient Housing can make your stay in Houston feel more normal.
Chemotherapy Use
Chemotherapy is a chemical drug therapy targeting rapidly growing cells in the body. Although it can be used for other things like bone marrow disease and immune system disorders, it is typically used when trying to treat cancer. Chemotherapy can also:
- Shrink a tumor before surgery
- Remove remaining cancer cells after surgery or remission
- Reduce current symptoms
Doing chemo can be anywhere from a dose a day to a few weeks. If you need more than one course of chemotherapy, you usually have a rest period for the body to have a chance to recover.
Side Effects
Unfortunately, side effects can happen with chemo drugs. Each drug has different side effects, so it is always best to talk to your doctor about the side effects of your chemotherapy. Here are some common side effects seen with chemotherapy:
- Bleeding & Bruising
- Hair Loss
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Constipation and/or Diarrhea
- Loss of Appetite
- Excessive Tiredness
- Fever
- Pain
Fortunately, some of these side effects are treatable and/or preventable, and many of them diminish after treatment ends. But what about long term effects? Here are some long lasting outcomes:
- Infertility
- Heart Problems
- Kidney Problems
- Nerve Damage
- Risk of another Cancer
Ultimately, the possibility of getting your cancer treated and even cured outweighs the negative side effects of chemotherapy. Remember to always talk to your doctor about and questions or concerns you have. Also, by staying at a place like Premier Patient Housing, you can feel more at home while going through the treatment process.
The Procedure
After looking at why it is important to have chemotherapy and what its side effects are, it is important to know how it is done. Depending on the cancer, this process can be given in a variety of methods. Doing chemotherapy includes:
- Taking a tablet or capsule by mouth
- Injection
- Topically (onto the skin)
Sometimes, chemotherapy can start at home, but with regular visits to the hospital. That is why staying at Premier Patient Housing is so important. This gives a patient the opportunity to stay close to the medical center without paying for an expensive hotel or looking for the right place to stay. Contact us today to plan your stay near the Houston Medical Center.