Seeing your friends and family? Otherwise: You may have changes in your sex life after cancer treatment-many people do. To get help with many of these problems, it is important to talk to your doctor. 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. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy. Ask about: How do you fight fatigue? A healthy lifestyle can help you recover after cancer, and help decrease your recurrence risk. If your gums bleed or hurt, stay away from the areas that are bleeding or sore, but keep flossing your other teeth. Then, he or she might suggest one or more of the following approaches. Radiation to the head and neck can cause problems with your teeth and gums; the soft, moist lining of your mouth; glands that make saliva (spit); and jawbones. It is very important to tell your doctor about any changes in your bladder or bowel habits. Chew some ice to numb your taste buds before eating that good-for-you food. My doctor never told me I would have this problem.". Medicines, counseling, finding ways to please yourself, surgery, or other approaches may help. For some people this change can be one of the worst parts of their treatment. Most patients who receive chemotherapy begin to recover from the side effects shortly after discontinuing the drugs. Further information After treatment, eat a balanced diet and include a variety of healthy foods. Talking about your fatigue with others who have had the same problem can help you learn new ways to cope. The word decaff just wouldn't come. Or perhaps you still have some control, but you make lots of sudden Most are short-term. These changes can cause your periods to stop, as well as cause other symptoms of menopause. Dr. Jones witnessed a huge number of cancer patients, treated with chemotherapy, die terrible deaths, many of them passing away earlier than other cancer patients who chose no … British Journal of Nursing. Some women find it harder, or even painful, to have sex after cancer treatment. They also may worry that their friends, family, and coworkers will get upset with them if they complain of fatigue often. Some may struggle with their body image after treatment. More than you … "I felt so foolish Learn about survival rates, outlook, and more. There are many different types of lymphedema. At least 30 minutes per day doing some sort of weight-bearing exercise, walking, or yoga are highly recommended by most doctors. This may help you find out what to avoid. 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 Any medical problem that may be causing changes in your sex life. to your doctor or nurse. You might not think to mention it to either your oncologist or your other doctors, but you should do so. Help in dealing with ostomies. 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. Friends and family might be willing to help but may not know what to do. 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. I’ve hopped on more emergency calls than I can count and this experience has reminded me of just how much we need each other—especially when we’re facing surgery and treatments (and the chemo and radiation side effects that often come with them). Talk about your goals for pain relief. Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK, Questions about cancer? Keeping the arm or leg raised above your chest. Copyright 2021 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute some cancer medicines can also reduce sex drive. Chemo may be given after surgery to remove the cancer. This is because when you are recovering from chemotherapy, your hair is more fragile than usual. I lived on soup and soft rice for weeks and weeks. It felt like when you wear a tight ponytail all day long and then take it down at the end of the day. Just say "no" to things that do not matter as much to you now. Here’s how to take advantage of detoxification to speed up chemotherapy recovery: Juicing – After a chemotherapy treatment, your body will find it hard to digest food. Some cancer treatments cause changes in sex organs that also change your sex life. Describe what the pain feels like. Your biggest battle has been fought and won – now you get to look forward to life after treatment. If you do lose hair, it usually starts within a few weeks of your first treatment session. Ask about: For some survivors, the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment may be made worse by the effects of aging, or by other health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, that you may have had before cancer. Going out and having fun? To measure the potential long-term effects of chemo brain, they measured how chemotherapy impacted learning and memory. Heart Disease. It can also show how you respond to any pain control medicine or other treatment you receive. you are not urinating. For some, fatigue gets better over time. Seeing a sex therapist. This is called adjuvant treatment. Is it sharp, dull, throbbing, steady? Changes in your hair can affect how you feel about yourself. It is best not to use dyes or perms for around 6 months after finishing chemotherapy. The opposite problem can happen when a medicine you are taking for pain causes constipation. 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%. Concerns about having children, and what you can do. Try having a cold drink (water or juice) at the beginning of a flash. Some types happen right after surgery, It is very important that you tell your doctor about: Some cancer treatments may cause future health problems. For it does not take into account patients who die 31 days or more after starting chemo. Limit the alcohol and caffeine you drink. Recipes, discoveries, workshops, stories of hope and triumph can be found in the pages of Spotlight, Dana-Farber’s free digital newsletters. Ask your doctor or nurse about: After chemotherapy, some women stop getting their periods every month or stop getting them altogether. Have a sip of water every few minutes to help you swallow and talk more easily. Although your treatment has ended, you are still coping with how it affects your body. Keep a pain diary.   Chew ice before eating certain foods. It is more likely to get damaged. Keep regular follow-up appointments with your doctor. After the third chemo my levels went down, I was so happy,…I started walking 20 minutes when I did no feel too weak, etc etc… After the fourth chemo my level started going up 10 points. Losing interest in sex. Puddings, ice cream, soups, applesauce, and bananas and other soft fruits are nourishing and usually easy to swallow. That I was told by Radiation Oncologist. Doing Kegel exercises and other physical training programs. I had to leave a new job a year after chemo because I couldn't manage mental arithmetic and would get tearful trying. Changes in your hair can affect how you feel about yourself. Three times a day, open your mouth as far as you can without pain, then close it. tell your oncologist or another doctor. A couple weeks after this chemo treatment, I ended up shaving off my hair.It started itching and almost even stinging, which felt really annoying. You may need to "break the ice" yourself. Plan your day. Some cancer survivors report that they still feel tired or worn out after treatment is over. Sharp, crunchy foods, like taco chips, that could scrape or cut your mouth, Foods that are hot, spicy, or high in acid, like citrus fruits and juices, which can irritate your mouth, Sugary foods, like candy or soda, that could cause cavities. Three years after having chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma, Pete Holland is thriving. More than 1,300 breast and lung cancer patients died because of chemotherapy in 2014, the study shows Credit: Alamy C hemotherapy is … Some men can no longer get or keep an erection after treatment for prostate cancer, cancer of the penis, or cancer of the testes. As one lung cancer survivor said, "I had a really hard time swallowing and chewing because of the chemo. Try not to have shots or blood tests done in that area. Here are my suggestions for how to survive chemo: Drink LOTS of liquids. had the same type of cancer and received the same treatment. Nausea and vomiting. you. Call us: 617-632-3000, Please note that some translations using Google Translate may not be accurately represented and downloaded documents cannot be translated. trips to the bathroom. Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue with an extra-soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime. Of those treated 1,383 died within 30 days. Sometimes these problems are caused by depression, feelings of guilt about how you got cancer, Read more about hair loss and cancer treatment. The chemotherapy itself stays in the body within 2 -3 days of treatment but there are short-term and long-term side effects that patients may experience. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to try and maintain a sense of positivity. If you've been diagnosed with ovarian life expectancy after chemo and radiation, it's natural to wonder about your prognosis. If you are in pain, Ask about: Here are some tips that have helped others improve their appetites: Some people who have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy to the head or neck areas may find it hard to eat because they have trouble swallowing. Your surgery may have left you with no bowel or bladder control at all. Depending on the type of treatment you had, your sex and age, and the length of time you've been out of Even with a vegetable dye, it is worth testing before you use it. These may include: Erection problems. are mild, and don't last long. This section talks about some of the problems that can occur when treatment is over. Eat soft, bland foods moistened with sauces or gravies. Find out whether your policy covers the approaches your doctor recommends. Wear loose-fitting clothing on your arm or leg. Discuss family planning concerns with your doctor. Many of these problems can be solved. The goal of adjuvant chemo is to kill any cancer cells that may have been left behind but are too small to see. If you lose lots of hair, this typically happens within 1 to 2 months. If it hurts, soften the bristles in warm water. 1. I’ve had 3 loved ones die of cancer. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Doing household chores? In addition, chemo “can also cause side effects that don’t become evident until months or years after treatment,” to quote the Mayo Clinic website. Using hair dye. You want the nutrients of spinach, but your recent taste changes have been making that spinach taste like gasoline to you. Here are some tips to help you describe your pain to your doctor: Lymphedema is a swelling of a part of the body, usually an arm or leg, that is caused by the buildup of lymph fluid. She died 6 months after great sickness & suffering due to the chemo. It takes about 6 months for the hair to become stronger. Sleep in a cool room; this may keep hot flashes from waking you up during the night. Try to have a smaller breakfast than usual, then have a healthy snack in the middle of the morning. If no one offers, ask for what you need. Not being able to have sex as you did before. If this happens, it is usually within 10 years after treatment. This will depend on which chemotherapy drugs you had. The causes of fatigue are different for people who are receiving treatment than they are for those who have completed treatment: How long will fatigue last? He or she may be able to help you talk openly about your problems, work through your concerns, and come up with new ways to help you and your partner. If the thought of eating still lacks appeal, try the foods you really liked before treatment. To tell your doctor, nurse, nutritionist, and/or speech pathologist you learn new to... Body or on a small fan with you and show this section to your doctor or nurse:! 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