Once the decision has been made to have chemotherapy, patients may have many different concerns.
Three common questions are:
- Will I lose my hair?
- How will my chemotherapy be given?
- What can be done to control nausea and other unpleasant side effects of treatment?
Coping With Hair Loss
Adriamycin and some other drugs usually cause hair loss. If you plan to wear a wig, we suggest that you:
- Have your hair cut as short as possible before starting treatment.
- Save a large lock of hair from the front/top of your head where the color is lighter as a color reference.
- Purchase a synthetic wig ( they are cheaper and easier to maintain) before you lose your hair, for ease of matching the color and style to your own hair. Make sure that the wig is returnable in case you change your mind after you get it home.
Hair usually doesn't start falling out until 2-3 weeks after beginning treatment. If you lose the hair on your head, you may also lose your eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as body hair. To catch the hair lost at night, consider buying a
mesh cap
or other type of head cover or put a towel over your pillow and use a plastic drain catch in the tub or shower to keep the hair from clogging the drain. Use a mild shampoo and the low heat setting on your blow drier. Hair straighteners, permanents, brush rollers and permanent hair dye will cause your hair to come out faster. Once your hair is gone, if your scalp or other parts of your body are dry, apply an inexpensive moisturizer often. Hair may grow back in a slightly different color or texture, but generally it returns to its original texture.
Your wig or hair piece, because it is needed as a result of cancer treatment, is a tax deductible expense. Also, it may be at least partially covered by your health insurance. If so, ask your doctor for a prescription for a "cranial prosthesis".
Hair loss is often the hardest part of cancer treatment for a woman to accept. If you feel angry and depressed, accept that these feelings are normal. Try to share how you feel with family and close friends. Support groups, either in person or on the web, are also helpful. How Will My Chemo Be Given?
Chemotherapy is usually given in pill form or into a vein intravenously (IV). The drugs are given through a thin needle, usually in a vein on your hand or lower arm. If the lymph nodes in your underarm have been removed, make sure the IV is not inserted on that side, to avoid causing lymphedema (swelling) and possible infection. Also, avoid having blood drawn, or blood pressure taken on that side.
Instead of having a needle inserted into a vein for every treatment, many women opt for a more permanent access, such as a Hickman line or portocath. The Hickman line is a thin silicone tube inserted into a large vein, that exits through the chest wall. The portocath is completely inserted under the skin and so requires minimal care. Both can be left in for months or even years.
Chemotherapy May Involve Long Waits
Most infusion centers have a TV, but consider bringing a book, CD player, Walkman, knitting, pillow and blanket. A thermos and snacks for the wait and drive home are also a good idea. If possible, bring someone, to be with you and to help with driving home in case you don't feel well.
Continue to part 2 |
