1. Miracles Promised
Chemotherapy is what it is: chemicals used in therapy to kill cancer. In conjunction with other forms of cancer killing treatments such as radiation and surgery, chemotherapy has been touted as a life-saving miracle cure. However, chemicals are indiscriminate and can't tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy cells, so they kill everything. The chemotherapy drugs can work throughout the whole body, catching any undetected errant cancer cells.
2. Chemotherapy Drugs in Many Forms
Chemotherapy drugs are administered in a variety of ways, from intravenously to pill form, to topical creams or single injections. An oncologist will decide which kind of chemical to use and how to use based primarily on the type of cancer that you have. Sometimes a combination of drugs and transfer systems are used to aggressively kill the fatal disease. While chemotherapy treatments can last for days, weeks or months, there is always a recovery period built into the treatment plan to give healthy cells a chance to rebuild.
3. Consequences of Chemo
Hair loss is a common side effect for most people who receive chemo treatments as the hair follicles are killed by the chemicals. Most cancer patients will experience other temporary side effects such as fatigue and nausea, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, susceptibility to infection and addled thinking. When expected, a person taking chemotherapy doesn't have to be alarmed by these consequences. A healthy attitude and positive frame of mind, which may include some humor surrounding the side effects, will help the treatment to be more successful.
4. Longer Lasting Effects
Chemotherapy treatment is often needed only once to kill the dreaded disease and allow the patient a full recovery. Other patients may need to continue with treatment over years, or find themselves back on the drugs after long periods of remission. Longer lasting side effects can result. Since chemo introduces harsh, foreign chemicals to the body, a person may experience some organ damage from prolonged use. Nerve and blood disease sometimes appear, and in rare cases, another cancer can be created.
5. Know That You're not Alone
Because of the devastating side effects of chemotherapy, it is often difficult for people to talk to friends and family about their feelings. Loved ones are just glad that we will live. Meanwhile, a chemo patient experiences a vast array of new emotions, laced with guilt, shame and embarrassment. The American Cancer Society can help you find a support group locally where you can find other people going through the same things. Talking with others who have been there can be extremely therapeutic.
