Chemotherapy drugs are designed to destroy rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells. In the process, they also kill healthy cells, resulting in unpleasant side effects. The process of going through chemotherapy varies between patients and providers, although there are commonalities among most chemotherapy delivery systems.
Preparation
Patients must play an active role in the process of chemotherapy (chemo) treatment, according to doctors at Sanofi Aventis, publishers of Colon Cancer News. Patients should follow their own doctor's advice because there are more than 100 different chemotherapy drugs, which may differ from the process required for a friend's treatment. Some doctors prescribe various medications, such as anti-nausea pills or antibiotics, to patients prior to treatment. Others request that patients eat and drink before treatment, while still others recommend patients undergo chemo on an empty stomach. It is important for providers of chemo to know about other medications that could interfere with the chemotherapy drugs. Because of the possible dizziness and nausea that can occur, most patients are advised to bring a driver to the sessions to take them home.
Treatment
Chemotherapy treatments are delivered in hospital settings, oncology centers and doctors' offices. Typically other chemo patients will be in the room. There may be a visitor's chair beside the patient's chair. Patients sit in a comfortable chair while an intravenous line is inserted, usually in the arm, for the chemo to be delivered into the bloodstream. Some chemotherapy drugs require delivery though a catheter because they are thicker. A catheter may be inserted on the chest for comfort. Chemotherapy treatment is essentially painless, although patients may feel a warm or cold sensation at the point of insertion. Others may become dizzy, often from anxiety about the treatment. A nurse regularly checks blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Chemo treatments may be delivered daily, weekly or monthly, depending on the invasiveness of the cancer and how the patient responds to the treatment, according to the American Cancer Society.
Between Sessions
Between sessions, patients routinely have their blood checked for white blood cell counts. Patients must maintain a certain level of white blood cells to continue with the chemo. Treatment may be discontinued while blood counts are treated. Some patients develop fluid retention or experience other effects from the drug that can be controlled by switching to different chemo medications.
After Sessions
After chemotherapy sessions, patients may experience a variety of side effects, depending on which drugs were used and the general health and psychological attitude of the patient. Most people undergo some level of nausea and vomiting as tender stomach lining cells become damaged during the treatment. Most people lose their hair as well. Fatigue, muscle pain and rash at the site of injection also are common side effects. Mouth sores, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath and fever over 100 degrees should be reported to a doctor.
