Chemotherapy (this is commonly referred to as เคมีบำบัด in Thai) isn’t something you or someone close to you would want to experience, but it might be the only option to beat whatever ailment you have and live a longer, more fulfilling life. Understanding what to expect during the treatment will alleviate uncertainties that can have a physical, emotional, and mental impact.
How Chemotherapy Helps You Fight Cancer
This type of cancer treatment uses different drugs that target cancer cells that often multiply quickly and uncontrollably. Oncologists use the treatment in many different ways.
- Curative therapy, as the name suggests, is a type of treatment that kills the cancer cells and prevents them from returning or recurring.
- Adjuvant therapy is carried out post-surgery or following radiation therapy.
- Neoadjuvant therapy happens pre-surgery and before radiation therapy to shrink a tumour and facilitate easier removal.
- Palliative chemotherapy can reduce tumours or cancer mass for symptomatic relief rather than cure.
Treatment Preparation: What to Do When Undergoing Chemotherapy
Whether you have breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or other similar conditions, the effects and side effects of chemotherapy will greatly vary. Getting things in order will make the experience more manageable.
Fully understand the type of treatment you’ll receive
The goal is to better understand what is going to happen and what to expect, to make the ordeal less frightening. Being mentally and physically prepared will help keep stress and anxiety at bay or give you better control over them.
- Talk to your doctor about the drugs, the treatment, and everything else that matters
- Check out reliable online and offline resources to further your knowledge
- Find out how long each session lasts, how long you’ll need the treatment, and the success rate
- Learn both the negative and positive effects for better prep strategies
Carefully plan your work and home life
You might be too tired to do any chores after a chemo session, much less work. It helps to set up measures that will not jeopardise your job and home.
- Talk to your employer and see if you can take a medical leave or if they can provide you with a flexible shift while undergoing treatment
- Arrange for transportation or assistance if needed for all your appointments
- Make arrangements to help with house chores, meals, or even childcare during and after a session
Set up contingencies for when you experience side effects
You’ll never know how the treatment will impact you, so it’s best to consider all the possibilities and set up coping and management solutions.
- If you’re expected to experience symptoms, such as nausea or fever, ask your doctor beforehand for appropriate medications
- Prepare comfortable clothes and items that you may need to treat certain conditions, such as hair loss, itchiness, and dry skin
- Have tracking and monitoring devices ready, especially if a fever or an infection is highly likely
- Get ready to deal with long treatment days with your choice of entertainment
In addition to these, you might need to get imaging and medical testing done before starting chemo. And while treatment is underway, a dentist visit may be necessary. If you want to receive treatment from a private hospital in Ubon Ratchathani Province that specialises in cancer, visit Chiwamitra Cancer Hospital.
