The chemotherapy survival guide : everything you need to know to get through treatment / Judith McKay, Tamera Schacher.

Previous ed.: published as The chemotherapy & radiation therapy survival guide by Judith McKay and Nancy Hirano. 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (213) and index.

Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Cancer-fighting treatments -- What this book offers -- What this book can't do -- 1. What is chemotherapy? -- A primer on cell life -- Characteristics of cancer cells -- Diagnosis -- Treatment choices -- Side effects of chemotherapy -- In conclusion -- 2. Understanding your treatment plan -- Foundations of the treatment plan -- Deciding on the treatment plan -- Clinical trials -- How will you know if the treatment plan is working? -- Treatment plans can change -- In conclusion -- 3. Understanding blood tests -- Why test your blood? -- Bone marrow : the blood-cell factory -- Red blood cells -- White blood cells -- Infections -- Platelets -- Plasma -- Looking at your lab results -- Tumor markers -- Communicating with other health care professionals -- In conclusion -- 4. The IV experience -- The basics about veins -- Getting your IV started -- Bags, bottles, tubing, and pumps -- Staying comfortable during chemotherapy -- How do you cope? -- IV problems -- Venous access devices -- Watching out for problems -- Which one is right for you? -- In conclusion -- 5. Preventing nausea -- What causes nausea? -- Nausea and chemotherapy -- Types of antinausea medicines and how they work -- Patterns of nausea -- The importance of fluids -- Step-by-step hints -- In conclusion -- 6. Coping with other digestion changes -- Your digestive system -- Mouth and throat problems -- Appetite problems -- Heartburn -- Diarrhea -- Constipation -- In conclusion -- 7. Maintaining good nutrition / Tinrin Chew -- Getting ready -- Weight gain and weight loss -- Chemo cycles -- Recommendations for digestive difficulties -- About the author -- 8. Coping with fatigue -- Why does fatigue happen? -- When does fatigue happen? -- How your doctor can help -- Things you can do -- In conclusion -- 9. Coping with hair loss and skin changes -- Hair -- How to cope with thinning hair -- Skin and nails -- In conclusion -- 10. Coping with nervous-system changes -- Peripheral neuropathy -- Peripheral neuropathy and constipation -- Peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss -- Chemo brain -- In conclusion -- 11. Sexuality -- Changes in sensation -- Changes in hormones -- Getting information -- Things that can help men -- Things that can help women -- Changes in body image -- Resuming sexual activity -- Birth control during treatment -- In conclusion -- 12. Fertility -- Get information -- Fertility : the basics -- Reproductive effects of treatment for men -- Reproductive options for men before or during treatment -- Reproductive effects of treatment for women -- Reproductive options for women before or during treatment -- Evaluating your fertility after treatment -- Reproductive options after treatment -- Costs -- In conclusion -- 13. Mind and body / Burton A. Presberg -- The emotional impact of cancer -- Mind and body : what's the connection? -- Help along the way -- Finding your own path -- Suggested reading -- 14. Relaxation and stress reduction -- Deep breathing -- Breathing and imagery -- Other relaxation imagery -- Mindfulness -- Progressive muscle relaxation -- Affirmations -- In conclusion -- 15. Preparing to start chemo : a practical guide -- Before you start chemo -- During your chemo treatment -- After your chemo treatment -- In conclusion -- 16. Life after cancer treatments : being a survivor -- Physical changes -- Emotional issues -- Getting back to normal -- In conclusion -- Index.