Preparing to undergo chemotherapy can be daunting, but an understanding of the procedures involved and their possible side effects can help eliminate some of the patient's anxiety regarding exactly what is about to occur. Knowledge empowers the patient to take the necessary steps to ensure the best possible results from his treatment. Patient empowerment helps chemotherapy candidates cultivate a positive mental attitude. The patient should explore a number of issues prior to starting chemotherapy.
Seek a Competent Caregiver
A caregiver can be a hired professional aid, a family member or a friend. It's often comforting to have a loved one as a caregiver, but good intentions are not enough.
A caregiver must be educated about the side effects and symptoms of complications. She should be organized and prompt when it comes to ensuring that the patient keeps all scheduled doctor appointments. Also, the website Survivorship A to Z recommends that the caregiver be available to spend the first few days after each chemotherapy session with the patient, as it is at these times that he may feel unwell or vulnerable. A strong emotional fortitude is necessary in dealing with the ups and downs of seeing a chemotherapy patient through the worst of times.
Prepare for Side Effects
Preparing for side effects through education will help ease the patient's fear and confusion when and if such side effects occur. The American Cancer Society cites a list of possible chemotherapy side effects, including hair loss, nausea and anemia, but adds that not every chemotherapy patient experiences every side effect. Effects can vary between individuals, and the patient concerned about side effects should consult his doctor about medications to counteract the negative effects of chemotherapy.
Manage Information
In order to keep track of the sometimes overwhelming amount of information necessary to maintain a treatment plan, the website Chemotherapy.com advises patients to devise a well-organized information system that includes a contact list, a treatment history, a calendar, a progress chart and an insurance discussion record.
Important contacts to include on the list are doctors, caregivers and other members of the patient's healthcare team, as well as family and friends who are actively supporting the patient in his recovery. The calendar tracks important meetings and appointments. The progress chart keeps a record of side effects, including their time and severity. An insurance discussion record helps sort out the sometimes bewildering web of questions and answers that arise when trying to manage bills and payments.
