What happens on the first day of chemotherapy?

Your nurse will begin with a saline solution through your IV. As soon as the medications are delivered, your nurse will hang the bags of medication on the IV stand and then start the different IVs. You'll be given pre-medications first, then the chemotherapy.
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How do you feel after first day of chemo?

The most commonly reported side effect after receiving chemotherapy is fatigue. 7 Give yourself time for extra rest and sleep in the days after a session. Tell your healthcare provider if your fatigue begins to affect your ability to function or complete basic tasks, like bathing.
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Does chemo make you sick the first day?

Acute nausea and vomiting usually happens within minutes to hours after treatment is given, and usually within the first 24 hours. This is more common when treatment is given by IV infusion or when taken by mouth.
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How many days after chemo do you feel better?

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.
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What are the side effects of 1st chemotherapy?

Here's a list of many of the common side effects, but it's unlikely you'll have all of these.
  • Tiredness. Tiredness (fatigue) is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. ...
  • Feeling and being sick. ...
  • Hair loss. ...
  • Infections. ...
  • Anaemia. ...
  • Bruising and bleeding. ...
  • Sore mouth. ...
  • Loss of appetite.
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First day of chemotherapy treatment



What should you not do during chemotherapy?

9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatment
  • Contact with body fluids after treatment. ...
  • Overextending yourself. ...
  • Infections. ...
  • Large meals. ...
  • Raw or undercooked foods. ...
  • Hard, acidic, or spicy foods. ...
  • Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. ...
  • Smoking.
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How do I prepare for my first chemo treatment?

Stay healthy and strong.
  1. Take it easy.
  2. Don't compare your body to how it was before chemotherapy.
  3. Drink lots of water.
  4. Go for a walk every day, if possible.
  5. Try to eat something. ...
  6. Read the provided handouts regarding chemotherapy and its side effects.
  7. Try acupuncture to help alleviate pain and nausea.
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How painful chemotherapy is?

Why it happens: Chemotherapy may cause painful side effects like burning, numbness and tingling or shooting pains in your hands and feet, as well as mouth sores, headaches, muscle and stomach pain. Pain can be caused by the cancer itself or by the chemo.
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Can you drive yourself home after chemo treatment?

Most people can drive themselves to and from chemotherapy sessions. But the first time you may find that the medications make you sleepy or cause other side effects that make driving difficult.
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When are chemo side effects the worst?

Blood cell counts often reach their lowest level about 7 to 14 days after chemotherapy. Low blood cell counts is the most common and most serious side effect of chemotherapy. When it happens, the dose of chemotherapy is adjusted right away or chemotherapy may have to be stopped temporarily.
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How quickly do chemo side effects start?

If you have side effects, they will usually start during the first few weeks of treatment and may become more intense with each treatment cycle.
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How many hours does chemo take?

Chemotherapy treatment varies in length and frequency and depends on the individual treatment plan prescribed by your doctor. Some last as long as three or four hours, while others may only take a half-hour.
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Does chemo make you lose weight?

Moderate weight loss is a normal and common side effect of cancer treatment. A rapid weight loss, however, is a concern. Rapid weight loss is defined as an unintentional weight loss of more than two pounds in a week when you are eating normally.
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Should you eat before chemo?

Eating a healthy diet before chemotherapy may help a person lower their risk of infection, cope with side effects better, and have a greater chance of receiving treatment without unplanned breaks. During this time, a person can prepare for eating while going through chemotherapy.
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Which is harder on the body chemo or radiation?

Since radiation therapy is focused on one area of your body, you may experience fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. However, it may still affect healthy cells in your body.
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Why do you have to flush toilet twice after chemo?

Small amounts of chemotherapy are present in your body fluids and body waste. If any part of your body is exposed to any body fluids or wastes, wash the exposed area with soap and water. People in your household may use the same toilet as you, as long as you flush all waste down the toilet twice with the lid down.
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Can you share a toilet with someone on chemo?

For 48 hours after receiving chemotherapy, patients and caregivers should follow these precautions: Flush toilets twice each time they are used. If possible, patients should use a separate toilet from others in the home. Always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet.
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Can you take a shower after chemo?

Following the tips below will help protect your skin from damage and infection: Bathe every day and use warm water. Avoid soaking in spas or hot tubs. Use a mild soap for bathing.
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Is a chemo port painful?

Does it hurt? Not typically, but when it is accessed for chemo or a blood draw, the initial poke does sting a bit (similar to an IV poke in your arm). Over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed numbing creams can help ease the discomfort.
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How many rounds of chemo is normal?

During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.
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What is it like to receive chemotherapy?

It'll depend on what type of cancer you have, how the chemo is delivered (orally or through IV), and the medications you're taking. Side effects may include: Fatigue and hair loss. Digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, appetite changes, nausea, and vomiting.
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What should I eat the day before chemo?

What do I eat before going to chemotherapy?
  • Plain or Fruited yogurt.
  • Fresh fruit and cottage cheese.
  • Poached egg and toast.
  • Toasted bagel with a small amount of peanut butter.
  • Cereal and milk (try Lactaid® milk, or Soy milk, if lactose intolerant)
  • Chicken rice soup with saltine crackers.
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Do chemo side effects get worse with each treatment?

Most types of pain related to chemotherapy get better or go away between individual treatments. However, nerve damage often gets worse with each dose. Sometimes the drug causing the nerve damage has to be stopped. It can take months or years for nerve damage from chemotherapy to improve or go away.
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What should I pack in my chemo bag?

Below are seven must-haves to pack in your chemo bag:
  • Healthy snacks and water. ...
  • Books/tablet or magazines. ...
  • Your phone, laptop or iPad. ...
  • Journal/notebook or coloring book/sketchpad. ...
  • Games, puzzles and crafts. ...
  • Comfort items. ...
  • Relaxation tools.
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Why can't chemo patients have ice?

You are being treated for cancer with a chemotherapy medication called Oxaliplatin. This medication has an unusual side effect called “cold dysesthesia”. This means that different parts of your body may be very sensitive to cold – cold drinks, cold food, and cool or cold outdoor temperatures.
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