7th August 2002
Depending on the chemo meds and amount of radiation used, you'll probably have some nausea/vomiting. Most cancer centers/hospitals now include a strong anti-emetic for this [e.g. Zofran] often immediately prior to or with the chemo infusion. If you need more, ask your ONC for a prescription - this stuff really works!
Also, many chemo patients experience some form of depression - again, if this happens to you, don't be afraid of taking some anti-depressant therapy. Aside from giving you a boost out of any temporary depression you may have, most anti-depressants also stimulate the appetite. You need to be able to eat and keep up your strength.
Here are some links:
Zofran: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202424.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202424.html[/url]
Antidepressants - there are two major classes of antidepressants; your ONC should be able to advise you of which would have the fewest interactions with your particular chemo meds.
Tricyclic antidepressants [systemic]: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202055.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202055.html[/url]
MAO-inhibitors [anti-depressant]: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202054.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202054.html[/url]
'Look Good, Feel Better' - this is a not-for-profit organization for cancer patients [males and females, adults and children] that teaches patients various tricks to help cope with cancer therapy-related appearance side-effects. Their workshops/seminars are free, but you do have to register.
ACOR.org [Association of Cancer Online Resources] is another non-profit resource for cancer patients and their families. A friendly place for talking with others in a similar situation. The ACOR site also has links to Cancerlit, Oncolink [U. Penn.], the NIH.gov cancer trials, etc.
This link is useful if you want to look up your PDQ [treatment plan]. Most cancer centers tend to use the PDQ therapies: National Cancer Institute (NCI) CancerNet Database - Main Index
[url="http://imsdd.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancernet/cancernet.html"]http://imsdd.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancernet/cancernet.html[/url]
If nutrition becomes a problem, esp. if/when you become neutripoenic, suggest you look up Patient Resources at the Fred Hutchison cancer center. They've got the most comprehensive nutritional advice. The nutrition info may be under the bone marrow transplant/graft-versus-host-disease section. Johns Hopkins and M.D. Anderson also have excellent online cancer patient information.
Good luck,
Jay
Also, many chemo patients experience some form of depression - again, if this happens to you, don't be afraid of taking some anti-depressant therapy. Aside from giving you a boost out of any temporary depression you may have, most anti-depressants also stimulate the appetite. You need to be able to eat and keep up your strength.
Here are some links:
Zofran: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202424.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202424.html[/url]
Antidepressants - there are two major classes of antidepressants; your ONC should be able to advise you of which would have the fewest interactions with your particular chemo meds.
Tricyclic antidepressants [systemic]: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202055.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202055.html[/url]
MAO-inhibitors [anti-depressant]: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202054.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202054.html[/url]
'Look Good, Feel Better' - this is a not-for-profit organization for cancer patients [males and females, adults and children] that teaches patients various tricks to help cope with cancer therapy-related appearance side-effects. Their workshops/seminars are free, but you do have to register.
ACOR.org [Association of Cancer Online Resources] is another non-profit resource for cancer patients and their families. A friendly place for talking with others in a similar situation. The ACOR site also has links to Cancerlit, Oncolink [U. Penn.], the NIH.gov cancer trials, etc.
This link is useful if you want to look up your PDQ [treatment plan]. Most cancer centers tend to use the PDQ therapies: National Cancer Institute (NCI) CancerNet Database - Main Index
[url="http://imsdd.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancernet/cancernet.html"]http://imsdd.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancernet/cancernet.html[/url]
If nutrition becomes a problem, esp. if/when you become neutripoenic, suggest you look up Patient Resources at the Fred Hutchison cancer center. They've got the most comprehensive nutritional advice. The nutrition info may be under the bone marrow transplant/graft-versus-host-disease section. Johns Hopkins and M.D. Anderson also have excellent online cancer patient information.
Good luck,
Jay