Content Overview 
- Summary
- You can travel safely during treatment if your doctor permits travel.
- Don't let emotions bottle up inside.
- How To Live With Chemotherapy
- Cancer Surgery 101
- Radiation 101
- Bone Marrow Transplants
- Other Cancer Treatments
- Keep track of your symptoms. If symptoms are more severe than expected, or if unexpected symptoms appear, call your doctor.
- Consider the practical aspects of being in treatment.
- Reduce your risk of infection while in treatment
- Consider adding non-Western treatments ("complementary" or "alternative" treatments) such as massage therapy to your treatment schedule.
- Emotions may run rampant during treatment. Use time tested techniques to help. Take one day at a time. It's not unusual to see life with a different sense of perspective.
- Share your emotions. Watch for depression. Consider seeking counseling. You may also want to consider getting a pet if you don't have one (yes, a pet).
- Think of family and friends as part of your support team. Ask for help when you need it. Your needs are first, but also consider theirs.
- Work issues: If you are an employee, ask for the accommodations which make it possible to juggle treatment and work. If you need time off, negotiate for it. People who are business owners or are self employed should avoid making important decisions if pos
- Start looking at your insurance and financial situation to determine how you will pay for medical care. Even with health insurance, medical care can be costly. Free or low cost care is available if you are Uninsured or Underinsured
- Do finance basics. Pay your rent or mortgage and mniimums on your credit card. Start keeping track of all medical services you receive and expenses you pay. Don't pay a medical bill just because you receive one.
- Financial assistance is available.
- Drugs and treatments do not work in a vacuum. Think of the food you eat, the exercise you get, rest/sleep and even proper care of your mouth as steps you can take to make treatments and drugs most effective.
- Modify your (hopefully)healthy diet to make up for nutrients your treatment uses up. Get dietary counseling.
- Speak with other people who are going through what you are.
- If you have a spouse or significant other, you will both face challenges from the treatment and side effects. There is no right or wrong way to handle the situation. Cooperative problem solving and mutual support is key.
- If you have underage children, tell them about what is going on in an age appropriate manner. Monitor their behavior. Arrange for their care in case something happens to you.
- Schedule a dental check up.
- When treatment ends, celebrate. Read Survivorship A to Z Post Treatment.
In Treatment For Cancer
Radiation 101
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Radiation is a local treatment like surgery that only affects cancer cells in the treated area.
Radiation can come from a machine (called external radiation) or from a small container of radioactive material which is implanted directly into or near the tumor site (called internal radiation). The implant may be temporary or permanent.
External radiation therapy is usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic. Internal radiation usually requires hospitalization for a few days.
Patients are not radioactive during or after the treatment.
Radiation is generally painless when given, though the area may become tender and sore.
Fatigue that frequently accompanies radiation often comes on toward the end of treatment and may linger for weeks afterward.
To learn about the other potential side effects of radiation to different areas of the body, see The National Cancer Institute chart at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you/page7 
To learn what to expect during a radiation treatment, see the Survivorship A to Z article of the same name in "To Learn More."
NOTE:
- While receiving radiation treatments, do not take vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants or other 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 radiation therapy.
- If medical personnel suggest or allow you take vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants or other supplements, do not take more than is recommended without first checking with medical personnel.
- If you want to become pregnant, check with your doctor first. If you unexpectedly do become pregnant, tell your radiologist right away.
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