Managing Your Treatment
While patients are on chemotherapy, frequent blood counts are taken to assure healthy cells are minimally damaged and cancer cells are destroyed maximally. If necessary, changes in chemotherapy dosaging or additional treatments (antibiotic therapy, blood transfusions, platelet pheresis) may be required. At times during your illness and treatments, you will be more susceptible to infections - particularly when white blood cell count is at its lowest (nadir). You need to do everything you can to avoid sources of infection. The best single prevention measure is to wash your hands often and thoroughly.

Additional guidelines:

• Avoid people with colds or flu.
• Avoid intimate contact with people with cold sores or viral infections.
• Avoid public areas such as malls, restaurants and churches.
• Shave with electric shavers instead of razor blades.
• Use gloves to do chores that might damage bare skin.
• Avoid raw vegetables or fruit that cannot be peeled.
• Do not eat undercooked meat or poultry.
• Avoid contact with animal's stools or urine (e.g. cat litter boxes or bird cages).
• Don't play in the dirt. Let someone else tend your garden and plants

Call your doctor immediately if you develop:

• Fever of 101F or higher
• Redness, swelling or pain of any wound
• Coughing, sore throat, and stuffy or runny nose
• Sores or white patches in your mouth or throat
• Burning or frequency of urination, or change in color or odor of urine.

Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting are common problems associated with cancer and cancer treatment. There are many ways to relieve nausea and vomiting and to help improve appetite. When your body is trying to fight cancer, it needs nutrition. It needs proteins and calories to help lessen the effects of cancer and the treatment.

Some tips to help increase your appetite:

• Mild exercise to stimulate your appetite.
• Avoid drinking liquids before meals. They can fill you up. When you're thirsty, drink nutritious juices and milk.
• Eat with family or friends. Make it a social event, not a chore.
• Eat a variety of foods, experiment with herbs and sauces.
• Don't fill up on salads or diet foods.
• Eat smaller meals more often.

The following are ways to cope with nausea and vomiting:

• Eat soda crackers or suck on hard candy to relieve queasiness.
• Eat cold or room temperature foods.
• Avoid salty, fatty, sweet foods; or foods with strong odors. Try bland foods or creamy foods.
• Stay away form nauseating sights, odors, or sounds.
• Sleep during episodes of nausea, if possible.

If vomiting does occur, avoid eating or drinking until your stomach has settled. Begin with sipping clear liquids. When you can tolerate the liquids, try bland foods a few hours later. Report to your doctor or nurse if you have nausea or vomiting more than a day or two. Treatment may be available to help you through this period.

Summary
In summary, this is not the end of your education, but just the beginning. The healthcare team you have chosen to treat your cancer can help you understand your treatment plan, your disease, and how to manage any complications or side effects from your cancer or cancer treatment. To get the information you need, please don't hesitate to talk to your doctor, office nurse, or nurses at the hospital when you visit.