First Chemotherapy Treatment—What to Expect
We know your first chemo treatment can be a scary experience, to say the least, so we gathered some information to help you. Treatments vary, but these are some basics you can expect. Knowledge makes us strong, so take what you can use, breathe deep, and remember—you can do this.
Note: Since chemotherapy is usually given through infusions, that’s what we’ll talk about here. Keep in mind that there are other types of treatment, including chemotherapy creams, drugs given in certain areas of the body, pills, shots, and more. Check with your doctor for more information.
- Blood Test. Before treatment, you’ll have a blood test to determine your white-blood-cell count. Since chemo depletes white-blood cells, doctors want to be sure your count can handle it.
- Drug Preparation. Once your blood tests are approved, physicians prepare the drugs for administration. This can take some time—often a few hours.
- Eat. Most doctors recommend you eat normally, according to your regular schedule. The center or hospital will probably have food, but depending on what’s on the menu, you may want to bring your own snacks, perhaps your own lunch. Go easy on your stomach, and avoid fried foods, fats and sugars. A cooler is super handy, as you can take your favorite drinks, ice packs (see below), and favorite foods. Your first treatment can be an all-day affair, so go prepared.
- Drink. Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder of breastcancer.org, says before, during, and after your treatment, “keep up your fluid balance. Make sure you keep drinking before and after your treatment. Keep lots of drinks around that you enjoy, but not ones that are full of sugar.”
- Listen. To help keep yourself calm during the wait, you may want to bring along an iPod or something similar. Dr. Eva Selhub (author of The Love Response) suggests meditation CDs both before and during treatment. Studies have shown they can help reduce side effects. You may want to bring a book as well, notebook computer, or something to write on. Journaling or writing about your feelings and experiences helps you deal with them and is very therapeutic.
- The Room. When they’re ready for you, they’ll take you into the “chemo room.” First-timers usually get their own private room, but not always. (Veterans are more likely to share one with other patients.) You may be able to request where you want to sit. The nurse may show you around, give you a plethora of information materials, and then she’ll start your IV, usually through a vein in your hand or arm, sometimes through a “port,” which is a medical appliance installed just under the skin through which drugs can be injected.
- The Drugs. Once your IV is set to go, the nurse will start the drip. You may receive some pre-medications, like anti-nausea drugs, to help reduce side effects. Then the oncologist will administer the chemo drugs. These drugs are typically toxic to the skin, so the nurse may wear protective clothing. The entire treatment can take 30 minutes to several hours. Pillows, blankets, and other comforting things from home can help make waiting more bearable.
- Ice. You may want to take some frozen vegetables or ice packs for your fingers—they may help reduce nail damage from the drugs. Ice chips in your mouth may also help reduce mouth sores.
- Any Pain? The treatment itself is usually not painful.
- Side Effects? These vary from person to person. Many people experience few side effects. Assuming the best outcome is better than imagining misery. (Click here for more info on possible chemotherapy side effects.)
- Drive home. Most doctors recommend you don’t drive yourself. You could be drowsy from pre-medications or from the experience itself.
If you’ve experienced chemotherapy, please help our first timers by sharing your experiences.
Photo courtesy of Dyxie via Flickr.com.
After having gone through my first ABVD chemotherapy treatment today, I’m now sitting by the dinner table, trying to force feed myself. The whole experience has been a lot better than I had anticipated. My cancer is said to be highly curable even though it’s a stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma. My young age(24) seems to be my greatest advantage at beating the side effects of my drugs and the odds of the cancer being terminal. So far the only side effect I have experienced since I received my first treatment 7 or 8 hours ago has been a little constipation which wS already an existent problem as I have been taking the narcotic drug oxycodon regularly to remedy a steady migraine. Apart from that I’ve noticed that my appetite has gradually decreased as the day progressed to night. I have no fever but there have been little indications of a fever onset like heat and some burning sensation at the back of my throat which might hopefully just be the sore throat I seem to have incurred since this morning before beginning my therapy. I’ve been starkly drinking a lot of fluids in order to flush the toxic byproducts of my drugs and I have drank several bottles of water a mixed fruit juice, a bottle of Ensure and I’m drinking my regular glass of milk before I go to bed. I don’t seem to be as tired though, I still feel like I can catch another movie eventhough I just got done with Denzel Washington’s “Unstoppable” The only fatigue I felt was while benedril was being administered to me through an IV during my treatment at whciu time I dozed and slumbered for few odd minutes until my caring kind nurses or my ever loyal and doting cousin woke me up for something or another. Apart from that I slept for about an hour and a half right after I had my se ond
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Hi Ebenezer
my son of 15 is also going for his first chemo tommorrow. He also have Hodgkins Lymphoma stage 2. We are very nevous. IT all happened so fast, early Dec took him to a doctor since he has a lump on the neck, GP do some blood test, says everything is Ok, bt recommends we see a specialist. we went and see the specialist, says nothing to worry about, but recommends we remove it. went into surgery on the 12th of Dec. few days later we get called into the doctors office, he is diagnosed with cancer Hodgkins Lymphoma, never head of that in my life. we are both scared. scheduled us to see an oncologist same day and the rest is history.
I am so worried about him, he doesnt talk much, he seems pretty much himself, all he wants to know is when does the treatmeent last. he wants his alod life back. yesterday he went for a hair cut, to prepare for hairloss.
He is still so young, its sad that he has to deal with such a huge cancer responsibility. he is worried about ability to eat Mcdonalds and his favourite foods.
He has not told his friends yet, he is not sure he wants to tell. i am not sure if i should take him to theraphy or it will just scare him off.
I had my first chemo treatment (#1 of 4) on 2/2/12, it was on a Thursday. They gave me 2 pre-meds and then my treatment. They dripped it in slowly through my port. It took about 3 hours, due to the slow drip. When I left there, I went immediately to my plastic surgeon for my breast fill on my tissue expanders.
The next day was Friday, and you go back to the same place and they give you a shot to boost your immune system. Saturday I felt fine, and then Sunday just a small headache from the shot. That is a typical side effect. Monday, I cleaned our entire condo for about 6 hours. Tuesday I rested and watched TV. Wednesday rested partial day, then ran errands and then Thursday had 2 appointments and was out of the home for about 8 hours. Friday, I watched TV and rested – not because of any side effects, but because I know I’m doing more than probably what I’m supposed to be doing. Saturday I cleaned and today, Sunday I cleaned out cupboards and organized.
The MOST important thing the first 48 hours of chemo is to drink LOTS of water. I drank 60 ounces first day and about 53 the 2nd day. I sipped on ice chips during chemo and for the first 4 days at home, I rinsed my mouth twice a day with mixture of 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda into a bottle of water. I never got sores, nor nausea, nor loss of appetite. I was prepared and bought plastic utensils. But so far, the only thing that has happened was Diet Coke was a turn off for the first few days, so I had Ginger Ale during that time.
My Oncologist said that actually food is not the priority during treatments. It’s hydration. He recommended either Smart Water, Gatorade or Pedialyte. I found Pedialyte pops, they seemed like a great treat.
He said hydration first, then food.
Hope this helps everyone!
My son is now on chemo 3 of 12 . He has been so strong and positive. I am very proud of him. He is responding well to treatment. Only has minor site effects – getting tired few days after treatment. School has not been badly affected, except for the days we go for chemo – which is once every 2 weeks. He finally told some of his friends and class mates and he says , it’s not really a big deal . Everyone still treat him the same. No special attention, which is something he was hopping not to happen.
Reading your comments (breast cancer in phoenix) gave me so much courage and comfort. I’ll be having my first chemo treatment on Wednesday. All indications are a positive outcome and minimal side effects from a 4 treatment regimen. I am so anxious, though. Onward!
I was delivered the news of my stage 4 cancer on Tuesday. I was completely blindsided by this news. It has apparently moved to my liver as well, ct scan today to double check my lungs. At 44, I have no history of cancer and no clue as to what to expect. I am devastated but determined. Thanks to those who have shared their experiences….
A very good friend of mine has started her chemo treatment today. She was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma Stage 2 on 1 March, this after doctors treated her for water retention after her leg started swelling(triple in size). A second opinion GP referred her for a CT scan early Feb and she was told she had a tumour in the upper leg. Have just heard that she has been hospitalised for her first chemo session. Is this normal? also I would really like to support her so any tips for friends and family will be welcome
I’m very sorry to hear about your friend, Narovia. It’s always so challenging when people we care about are going through cancer. I’m not a doctor, but I do understand that B cell lymphoma often does present with tumors in the extremities, like the leg, and apparently chemotherapy is a typical treatment. To support her, I would recommend that first, you just let her know that you care, and be that friend that truly listens to her. Other than that, I have other recommendations in the “caregiving” category of my blog, and on this post: http://cincovidas.com/7-ways-to-be-an-advocate-for-your-loved-one-with-cancer/. Little things like helping with the grocery shopping, sitting with her during her chemo treatments, treating her to a funny video night, or just bringing some joy into her life are all things friends can do. (For more information on all this, check out my book, When Cancer Hits http://cincovidas.com/cv-press/book/) I wish you all the best—let us know how she’s doing!