12 chemotherapy tips from cancer patients who’ve been there

If you're about to have chemotherapy for the first time, you might be wondering what to expect from this type of cancer treatment.

We asked our patients and caregivers to share their best advice for getting ready for chemotherapy – and the side effects that can sometimes come with it. Here’s what they had to say.

1. Get some rest

Fatigue is the most common side effect experienced by cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy. So, get plenty of rest and avoid pushing yourself too hard, even if you're feeling good.

Be patient with yourself and others, too, since it may take some time to get back your regular energy levels. And, remember: it’s OK to ask for help so that you can take it easy.

“Fatigue from chemotherapy is unlike any other,” says Joan Corson, a former ER nurse and triple-negative breast cancer survivor. “The closest I can compare it to is when kids are babies, and you’re so tired you can barely put one foot in front of the other.” 

2. Stay hydrated 

Diarrhea, vomiting and other chemotherapy side effects can leave you feeling dehydrated. Not only can this deplete your energy levels; it can also lead to other health issues. So, be sure to drink plenty of water during treatment. Decaffeinated tea, juices and milk can also help. If you’re having trouble getting enough liquids to stay hydrated, talk to your care team.

“Working as a pair helped us stay accountable,” explains Carrick Terhune, a young adult who helped her mother stay hydrated during treatment for a rare granular cell tumor. “If I noticed my mom starting to slow down, I reminded her to have some water. Hot temps and blazing sun? Bottoms up. Cozying up on the couch with a good movie? You guessed it: drink up, my friend. And every time she drank water, so did I.” 

3. Eat when you can

Chemotherapy can cause nausea and appetite loss, so it’s important to eat when you can to avoid becoming malnourished. Keep in mind that many foods may taste different as you go through treatment. For some patients, food can have a metallic aftertaste both during and after chemotherapy.

“My appetite was hearty right up until the end,” remembers Glen Haubold, a salivary gland cancer survivor. “Then the taste of food disappeared altogether, and everything started tasting like metal. I’d made it a point to eat normally until then, but I had to switch to liquid meals for the last two weeks.” 

4. Prepare for possible hair loss 

Most cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy experience  hair loss, usually starting around one to three weeks after their first treatment. For some, hair falls out gradually, while others wake up to big clumps on their pillow. Whether you lose your hair or not depends on the type and dosage of chemotherapy you’re receiving.  

Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting treatment, then make plans for what you’ll do if and when you lose your hair. You might consider cutting your hair short or shaving your head, for instance, or decide to try out wigs, scarves, turbans or hats. 

“I always had long hair, but I wasn’t super attached to it,” recalls Gretchen Lee Herrera, a breast cancer survivor. “When it started coming out in clumps, I had my sister shave it off, so it wouldn’t be so scary. I felt beautiful at first. Other days, I felt like, ‘There is nothing attractive about this at all.’ After a while, though, I just embraced it, because it seemed symbolic of the seasons of life: how sometimes things can die off and then come back even stronger. My hair’s thicker now than it used to be.” 

5. Create a sense of normalcy

Stick to your normal daily routines as much as possible. This could be something as small as getting up and getting dressed every morning, or having a meal with your family each day. These rituals can help take your mind off cancer.

“I gave my days some structure by working on a huge paint-by-numbers project while I was in the hospital,” says David Saba, a double-hit lymphoma survivor. “It was totally mindless, but instead of trying not to vomit, I could focus on staying inside the lines. The bonus was that everyone started coming by to see how it was going.” 

6. Look to your support and care teams to have your back throughout treatment 

Going through chemotherapy is tough, so turn to your family, friends and care team for support. Our doctors and nurses will do everything they can to keep you comfortable. But it’s important to ask questions and voice concerns, so they can help when you're not.

“The teachers and staff at my elementary school prepared dinner for me and my family for over a month,” says Reneata Benjamin, a pancreatic cancer survivor. “The school counselor coordinated it all and made sure everything ran smoothly. And it truly was such a blessing. My mind was willing, but my body just wasn’t able to cook. Thanks to my colleagues, I didn’t have to worry about what my family was going to eat while I was going through cancer treatment.”   

7. Keep things around that bring you comfort

Bring your favorite blanket, a tasty snack, your best friend, a good book or whatever brings you the most comfort and keeps you busy while you wait. 

“The best gift I received was a custom-made blanket with my family’s names on it,” says Mark Teague, a throat cancer survivor. “It kept me warm while I was receiving chemo because sometimes the infusion rooms were very cold. And seeing all those names written out made me feel like my family was right there with me, even when they were up to 12 hours away.” 

8. Stay ahead of your nausea

Many patients experience nausea during and after chemotherapy. So, get your nausea prescriptions filled before you start, and take them exactly as directed before each treatment – so that they'll kick in before the nausea does.

“Some patients might think, ‘Well, I’m not feeling nauseated today, so I’ll just skip a dose,’” says Arthur Hamberger, M.D., a six-time cancer survivor. “But then, by the time nausea hits you, you’re having to play catch-up and wait out the discomfort. That’s no fun.”

If your nausea medications don’t work, ask your doctor for a different prescription. It might take a few tries to find the one that works best for you.

Sitting outside and getting some fresh air may also provide a little nausea relief. Popsicles, mints and gum may, too.

9. Stay positive

Sometimes our fears are worse than the reality, and each day of treatment can surprise us. Seek out the positives in your day – small and insignificant as they might seem – to keep your spirits lifted.

“My boyfriend and I celebrated when I reached the halfway point in my treatment schedule,” notes Mallory Parrish, a Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. “We celebrated each time a scan showed that the tumor was getting smaller. And we celebrated when I managed to get up, get dressed, and take a short walk outside, especially on the days when I really didn’t want to.” 

10. Take oral care advice seriously

Because chemotherapy works by attacking rapidly growing cells, it can also target healthy cells by mistake, including those that line the gastrointestinal tract. When that happens, painful mouth sores can sometimes be the result. So, it’s important to take any suggestions from your care team for their prevention seriously. 

“One side effect I managed to avoid completely was mouth sores,” says Connie Porter, Ph.D., a breast cancer survivor. “I’d heard about the horrors of those, so I rinsed my mouth out with a mixture of baking soda and water multiple times a day during chemotherapy.” 

11. Stay alert for signs of neuropathy 

Many chemotherapy drugs cause a side effect known as peripheral neuropathy, or pain, numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands and feet. Sometimes, neuropathy can be moderated with a dose adjustment or a pause in treatment. But your care team can’t address it if you don’t let them know you have it. So, stay alert and notify them right away if you start to experience those sensations. 

“I still have some residual neuropathy today,” says Robert Harris, a three-time cancer survivor. “So, I have to be very careful when paying for things in cash. Otherwise, I might hand over more money than I intend to, especially if the bills are new and crisp. I also have to be very mindful when going up and down stairs, and make sure I’m holding onto something because the normal connection between my brain and feet isn’t always there.”  

12. Remember that everyone’s experience with chemotherapy is different

You may get lots of advice from other patients, but remember: your experience with chemotherapy won’t necessarily be the same as anyone else's.

Some people might want to stay in bed for days after an infusion, while others can go about their business in just a few. And while some patients lose their hair quickly, others keep their hair for much longer – or don’t lose it at all.

“I was really mad when I was admitted to the hospital,” recalls oral cancer survivor Jeannie Hopper. “I thought I’d failed because I wasn’t strong enough. I’d heard all these stories about people who were still working while on chemotherapy and felt totally fine. That was not my experience.” 

So, go easy on yourself, pay attention to your side effects and share your questions and concerns with your care team.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.