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This sounds like a typical course of chemotherapy treatment. Chemo is a very good weapon against cancer, but it is very difficult if you're not prepared. She needs to be fully informed about what's going to happen. The most important thing is to stay hydrated. She needs to drink as much water as she can the entire time she's in treatment. The more water, the faster the chemicals will be flushed out of her system. The day before her treatment, she needs to eat light meals. The day of, she needs a good breakfast that's not greasy or heavy. Eggs, toast, and muffins are great. On the day, she should take a few snacks like animal crackers, pudding, and applesauce. They'll give her plenty of meds to fight the nausea. She needs to follow the instructions exactly. The day of her infusion, she'll feel pretty normal. The following day, she'll start to feel the effects of it. She needs to be able to rest as much as possible, and eat at least a little bit three or four times a day. She'll feel like she has a really bad flu for a few days, then she'll start to come out of it. Once she's out of the fog, she can return to her normal activities. The meds will make her digestive system go crazy; she'll need to have stool softeners and Imodium AD on hand to fight the effects. It's important that she keeps it under control; she shouldn't go longer than two days without a movement, and she should treat diarrhea immediately. She should be well aware that her hair WILL start to fall out around day 14 after her first treatment. She can either cut her hair short ahead of time, or wait until it starts to fall. For some women, it can be very traumatizing to see handfuls of hair coming out when you run your hands through it.
As far as her cancelling her treatment because of future medical problems, she needs to be aware of the consequences. If she doesn't get the treatments, the cancer will more than likely come back. The chemicals themselves have a VERY small risk of developing cardiotoxicity or other health problems. But, of course, it's up to her to decide what she wants to do, but be sure it's not out of fear. If she's that afraid, have her talk to her doctor. And if she wants, she can join my online bc support group at youngsurvival.org . If she wants to talk to me personally, feel free to email me and I'll send you my phone number.
God Bless and I wish her well. Email me with any questions you may have, hun.
Blessings
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