Modern chemotherapy is more sophisticated, better targeted, safer and produces no problems with chemotherapy treatments.

Many people have no problems with these treatments. As with any medication, everyone does not respond the same way to chemotherapy. There are several conditions you might encounter during your chemotherapy treatment. However, all of these symptoms may not always develop and they are not necessary for the chemotherapy to work. The most common are noted in this brochure.

It is important to inform the nursing staff of any mouth sores, cold/flu symptoms, diarrhea, or new symptoms before receiving chemotherapy.

Infection

White Blood Cells (WBC) help fight infection. Granulocytes, a specific percentage of your total white blood count, are especially important in fighting bacterial infections. We will be monitoring your blood closely to be sure that your WBCs are adequate. However, sometimes they do become low. Should this happen we will notify you to be alert for signs of infection.

Be sure to call the doctor if you have:

• Temperature of 100.5 degrees or greater (You will need your own thermometer)
• Shaking, chills, regardless of temperature
• Pain or burning with urination
• Sore throat
• New cough or change in chronic cough
• Diarrhea, persistent or severe
• Flu symptoms

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can become a serious problem quickly. Call the office immediately for any diarrhea that cannot be controlled within 24 hours (using Kaopectate, etc.). Eating yogurt, cottage cheese, regular cheese, or buttermilk daily can help prevent and control diarrhea.

Bleeding

Platelets (PLT) help to make your blood clot to stop bleeding when you cut yourself. Sometimes the platelet count becomes low. If your platelet count is low, you should:

• Protect yourself from injury (wear seat belts, avoid sharp objects, etc.)
• Apply pressure to cuts, ice to bruises
• Don’t drink alcohol
• DO NOT take aspirin or medications that contain aspirin without approval from your doctor, since aspirin may inhibit clotting

Be sure to call the doctor if have:

• Nose bleeds
• Bruising or small red dots under your skin
• Black, tarry stools
• Any bleeding that cannot be controlled in a reasonable amount of time
• Blood in the urine or stool
• Bleeding gums

Sunburn

Some medications make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Be sure to avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a good sunscreen (at least 30 spf) whenever you are outside.

Sore Mouth

Some chemotherapy medications can cause the lining of your digestive tract and mouth to become sore. Signs include:

• Sore or red tongue

• Small blisters

• White patches

• Red areas

• Painful rectum or stomach

Should any of these signs or symptoms occur, you should: avoid spicy or acidic foods and commercial mouthwashes. Instead make a mixture of ••• teaspoon of baking soda and ••• teaspoon of salt in a quart of water. Rinse using a mouthful by swishing, gargling and spitting after meals and at bedtime. Call the office with any questions, if medication needs to be prescribed for any discomfort or if you are making a dental appointment.

When In Doubt, Call Us

Call as early in the day as possible. That way, we’ll have more resources to assist you.

Prescriptions

At each visit, please bring a complete list of all medications you are taking including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. This information is vital to creating your unique care plan. Please note, however, that when it is time for a refill, our doctors can write orders only for medications they have originally prescribed. Refills for prescriptions written by other doctors will need to be filled by that doctor and may require a recent visit to him or her.

When it’s time to refill a prescription written by one of our doctors, it is most convenient to do so when you’re here for an visit. Prescription refills by phone will take 24-48 hours.