Chemotherapy: While Undergoing

While undergoing chemotherapy:

• Follow the schedule. Keep all your appointments. Take drugs as prescribed.
• Do not expect immediate results. Standard practice is to wait for 2 full cycles of treatment before looking for any response to it. This can take 2 to 3 months. Response is checked by repeating the tests that show the cancer.
• Learn when to call your cancer doctor or nurse without delay. If there is a question, it is safer to call.
• Chemotherapy is usually accompanied by side effects. Side effects do not tell you whether the chemotherapy is working or not. Most side effects can be minimized or eliminated entirely. 
• Chemotherapy is often accompanied by low white blood cells. A low white blood cell count decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Learn how to avoid unnecessary infections. Watch for signs that indicate you have an infection.
• If your platelet count becomes low, take the necessary steps to help avoid problems.
• Don't start taking any new drugs or treatments, or otherwise change the drug schedule you were on before chemo started without speaking with your doctor first.
• Do not take vitamins, minerals, herbs,antioxidants or other dietary supplements without first asking your doctor, nurse or dietitian whether it is okay. Some of these substances can be harmful. Some may reduce the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.
• If medical personnel suggest or allow you take vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants or other dietary supplements, do not take more than is recommended without first checking with medical personnel.
• It is best not to get pregnant during chemo. 
• Be open about your emotions. Make contact with someone going through the same thing you are. Consider joining a support group..
• Keep family and friends in the loop. Lean on them for support and assistance. Your doctor will let you know if you are in a situation in which you may have to stay away from people for awhile - including family and friends. 

Your cancer care team will measure how well your treatments are working by doing certain tests. This will include physical exams, blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, scans, and x-rays. 

• Ask if you can take lab tests ahead of time so you can review the results with your doctor at your appointment.  
• Ask your doctor about the test results and what they show about your progress.

Expect that your healthcare providers will take safety precautions. Chemo drugs can be harmful in unintended situations.

Consider other matters common to all cancer treatments, such as how to pay for treatment, how to deal with work, and whether and how to travel. Those subjects, as well as how to deal with emotional changes, are covered in Survivorship A to Z's document: In Treatment.