Try to have a smaller breakfast than usual, then have a healthy snack in the middle of the morning. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. I do every week acupuncture, massage in my feet. A diary can help you track changes over time. Some problems go away after treatment. It is very important that you tell your doctor about: Some cancer treatments may cause future health problems. Life after chemo may be filled with challenges along the way – you may find yourself having to adjust to a new normal. At least 30 minutes per day doing some sort of weight-bearing exercise, walking, or yoga are highly recommended by most doctors. There are services and support groups to help people deal with these changes. Other problems can also play a part in fatigue, like anemia (having too few red blood cells), poor nutrition, not drinking enough liquids, and depression. Otherwise: You may have changes in your sex life after cancer treatment-many people do. A small U.K. study of breast cancer patients found certain types of chemotherapy can weaken part of the immune system for up to nine months after treatment. And little did I realize that the exhaustion didn’t end with the last infusion -- the month after chemo was the hardest of all. People who are at risk for lymphedema are those who have had: Your doctor or nurse may be able to help you find ways to prevent and relieve lymphedema. Puddings, ice cream, soups, applesauce, and bananas and other soft fruits are nourishing and usually easy to swallow. Breast cancer survivors who have had Explain when you feel pain. I am not eating sugar, a lot of vegetables specially green. These approaches have helped others recovering from cancer and may help you. Is it sharp, dull, throbbing, steady? Note: Health insurance does not always cover these approaches. Depending on the type of treatment you had, your sex and age, and the length of time you've been out of See a gynecologist every year. For some people this change can be one of the worst parts of their treatment. If the thought of eating still lacks appeal, try the foods you really liked before treatment. Talk about how strong the pain feels on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you could have. Pancreatic life expectancy after chemo is stopped. treatment, you may still be able to have children. I felt like I’d been run over by a truck. The American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research offer recommendations for healthy diet, including foods to enjoy and those to limit. Three years after having chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma, Pete Holland is thriving. About half of women who have had long-term treatment for breast and reproductive organ cancers and more than half of men treated for prostate cancer report long-term sexual problems. If you are a woman, ask if you still need to use birth control even if you are not getting your period. Talk to your doctor about what may be causing your fatigue and what can be done about it. It is very important to tell your doctor about any changes in your bladder or bowel habits. I would say, don't be in a rush if your consultant isn't as the long recovery in between is ideal. If it hurts, soften the bristles in warm water. Just tighten and relax the muscles as you sit, stand, or go about your day. Seeing your friends and family? Very rarely, certain chemo drugs can cause diseases of the bone marrow, such as myelodysplastic syndromes or even acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of white blood cells. Practice by controlling your muscles to stop the flow of urine. Try having a cold drink (water or juice) at the beginning of a flash. Life After Chemo. Concerns about having children, and what you can do. He had no choice but to conclude that, despite what doctors might tell you, chemotherapy does not work. If you do lose hair, it usually starts within a few weeks of your first treatment session. I’ve had 3 loved ones die of cancer. British Journal of Nursing. For it does not take into account patients who die 31 days or more after starting chemo. Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue with an extra-soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime. Use numbers. She died 6 months after great sickness & suffering due to the chemo. Rinse your mouth several times a day with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt in one cup of warm water. bowel or bladder control. Dress in layers that you can take off if you get warm. There are many different types of lymphedema. Let your doctor know if you experience any of these or other troubling symptoms. changes in body image after surgery, and stress between you and your partner. Then, he or she might suggest one or more of the following approaches. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy. There are things you can do to minimize the side-effects and to make yourself more comfortable. Some men say that weight loss is a bigger concern for them than weight gain. Wanting to control pain is not a sign of weakness. If you do not get side effects, it does not mean your treatment is not working. Using hair dye. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to try and maintain a sense of positivity. Source: U. S. National Cancer Institute, Facing Forward Series: Life After Cancer. Ask for advice from your health care team, including your doctor, nurse, nutritionist, and/or speech pathologist. Some types happen right after surgery, 2011. After treatment, eat a balanced diet and include a variety of healthy foods. Doing Kegel exercises and other physical training programs. Note when it starts, how long it lasts, if it gets better or worse at certain times of day or night, and if anything you do makes it better or worse. They might cook a meal, pick up something at the store, or do the laundry. Heart Disease. Think about joining a support/education group for people with cancer. Fatigue during treatment can be caused by cancer therapy. Doing strength-building exercises for your arms and shoulders, if you have lost muscle and gained fat tissue, Talking to a dietitian or nutritionist who can help you plan a healthy diet that won't add extra pounds. Others last a long time, while some may never go away. Here are my suggestions for how to survive chemo: Drink LOTS of liquids. Ways you can gain muscle control by doing Kegel exercises. Focus on favorite foods. Others, such as those who have had bone marrow transplants, may have less energy for years after their final treatment. Other types can occur months or years after cancer treatment and can be quite painful. There are very few long term side effects of chemotherapy. Repeat 20 times. Cavities and other kinds of tooth problems, Almost all people who have had radiation therapy to the head and neck, Most people who have had bone marrow transplants, About 2 of every 5 people treated with chemotherapy, Ways to take care of your mouth and teeth. You can help strengthen muscles in your genital area by doing these exercises.   Chew ice before eating certain foods. I am afraid that the chemo is no working anymore. Not being able to have sex as you did before. Your doctor or nurse can help you deal with weight gain. If you are in pain, Sometimes these problems are caused by depression, feelings of guilt about how you got cancer, If you think you might have trouble getting started, bring this document with you and show this section tell your oncologist or another doctor. There are many different types of lymphedema. Colorectal or prostate cancer survivors may find that the aging process also affects their With your help, your doctor can assess how severe your pain is. In fact, fatigue is one of the most common complaints during the first year after treatment. If you've been diagnosed with ovarian life expectancy after chemo and radiation, it's natural to wonder about your prognosis. 1. More than 1,300 breast and lung cancer patients died because of chemotherapy in 2014, the study shows Credit: Alamy C hemotherapy is … One study also showed that the combination of 30 minutes of exercise combined with a good plant-based diet and a good support network improved the survival of breast cancer patients by as much as 68%. It can take time to get over the effects of cancer treatment. Use a saliva substitute to help moisten your mouth. It can also show how you respond to any pain control medicine or other treatment you receive. The opposite problem can happen when a medicine you are taking for pain causes constipation. If you have dentures, clean, brush, and rinse them after meals. 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