Tips for your Chemo Section

BEFORE CHEMO

• Schedule an appointment with your dentist prior to starting treatment to resolve any existing mouth issues.
• Ask your doctor if you should take any type of vitamin, such as D vitamin or any type of medicine that could help you to counterfeit any expected side effect
• Tell your doctor ever and each drug and vitamin you take regularly and ask them which one you can and can not keep....some can interfere with your treatment
• Ask your doctor how you can reach him in case of symptoms, concerns and/or emergency
• Discuss with your doctor if it is necessary to be hospitalized or not for  your first chemo section.....As each person and protocol is different in case your doctor thinks you may have an allergic reaction and/or any type of reactions to the drugs you are going to take that should be carefully watched by them, they may suggest you to be hospitalized for your first section....

THINGS TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR YOUR CHEMO SECTION

• A blanket if your facility doesn't provide one
• a bottle of water
• book, journal and/or magazine of your interest (it is nice to have some humor on it)
• a notebook and a pen
• a cell phone or mp4 with your favorite songs, videos and voice messages (don't forget headphones in case you count on your cell phone)
• a moisturizing lotion
• alcohol gel if you need to use hospital bathroom
• any type of disinfectant such as lisoform in case your facility doesn't have them in the bathroom
• photos that make your mind fly to enjoyable and nice moments / places
• a gift package......for you to open only during chemo section......friends / family can prepare a gift pack for you that you are allowed to open only while on chemo section....they can include there anything they want....photos of unforgettable moments, personal messages for you, motivational messages they can get from internet, books, etc, humor tags, small gifts, funny messages or link to funny youtube videos....etc.....anything that can make time flies to you while there...

GENERAL RECOMENDATION

• Have someone around to drive you to/from chemotherapy. It may be better to be safe than sorry so never ever drive after your first chemo section....
• If you live alone you may want to have a friend  or a family member with you.....If it is not possible keep the phone number of neighbors, family/friends that live close to you and your doctors numbers in a place that you can easily find them in case you need
• don't eat raw food because your immune system will be down or if your doctor allow you to so eat them very carefully....it is very important to deeply clean them as they may have pesticides, bacteria and other microorganisms that your low immune system may not handle
• although you will learn that nutrition is a key player in your cancer fight you will learn that because you may be too nauseated sometimes it will be easier to say than to do- so try to eat as well as you can, to have a balanced diet, but don't focus too much right now on banning foods that you may tolerate better than others.....as it is also very important avoid weakness and avoid losing too much weight..... Drink lots of water and get sufficient protein

IMPORTANT NOTICE: this information is based on personal experience and does not intend to replace doctor's opinion and/or to be any advice to be taken without previously confirmation with your doctor team....Always ask you doctor before adopting any new habit or take any new procedure.....