My Chemotherapy Experience - Chapter One - What Is Chemotherapy?

                                                       CHEMOTHERAPY

 About 60 years ago, the word "chemotherapy" was used by doctors to treat infections, the infections now was specifically called cancer😖. In recent years the usage of chemotherapy has increased because of its success to cure cancer. Chemo (chemotherapy) drugs nowadays are more tolerable compared to the 70's and 80's. Now more medications are used to minimize the effects of chemo👍. 

  In October 2016, I was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer😭😭.

common used chemo drugs

 This is how common chemo drugs look like. It runs into your veins just like a normal hydration drip so the effects will be rapid😱😱. During my first chemo session, I instantly felt dizzy and my temperature is high but no fever. Usually doctors will give a low dosage chemo during the first chemo session😌. One chemo session consists of several chemo drugs combined, one chemo drugs followed by another one. Duration of chemo session differs due to type of chemo drugs used. My first session took about 1-2 hours.

another type of chemo drugs

This is another category of chemo drugs, it is injected directly into your body. I didn't use this type of drugs so I have no experience about this but I have seen other patients use this, usually after injected they have to lie down for about 2-3 hours.

At night, after my first chemo session I had diarrhea, which is a common side effect of chemo.

But after that, I was perfectly fine just sweating a lot. After a few days I was discharged.

At home you need to relax a lot and do less work, but don't sleep all day!😠 You need to move or your body will be weak and your muscle will weaken and fatigue.

relaxing is good!

Chemotherapy will kill cancer cells but also all your fast growing cells like blood cell and hair😰. After a few days, patients will go for a blood test to check blood count.

Low red blood cell will make you dizzy and some serious cases patients fainted. Plus, it will your body shivers to avoid coldness. If your hemoglobin is less than 7,  get ready for blood transfusion. Low white blood cell is hard to detect because it doesn't show any symptom but you are exposed to infections and fever. Every fever patients will be admitted to ward. Low platelet will slow down the process of blood clotting💉.

It is advisable to stay at home and lessen your outdoor activities as chemo patients have low immunity😔. However if you want to go out, it is highly recommended to wear face masks.

face masks

Drink plenty of plain water, at least 2.5 liter per day to hydrate your body. Chemo patients usually will feel hot, with enough fluid it will lower your body heat and your muscle can work at optimum rate👍.

There are various kinds of chemo drugs each has a different side effect, but here are the list of the common side effects:

• nausea/vomiting
• hair loss
• low red blood cell count/anemia 
• fatigue
• risk of infections
• risk of bleeding
• constipation
• diarrhea
• sores of mouth and throat
• skin effects
• muscle/bone effects
• nerve effects
• kidney/bladder effects
• sexual effects
• heart effects
• lung effects
• fertility effects

Different people will experience different side effects, only several side effects will be felt. Doctors will usually give advice and suggestions how to minimize the side effects. After 18-21 days, patients are ready for next chemo session.💊