The Chemotherapy Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get Through Treatment

Who could better write a book on chemotherapy than two chemo nurses from Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, one with over 25 years experience as a chemo nurse involved in patient education and the other with several years as an oncology-certified nurse and family nurse practitioner? These ladies are on the front lines, in the trenches, so to speak and they know all the questions and all the tricks you need to deal with chemotherapy. If you or a loved one are facing cancer treatment this is a good primer on what to expect and what you can do to lessen the effects and just get through the ordeal with your sanity intact. It starts with a short primer on cell life and cancer cells and goes into an explanation of some of the types of chemotherapy and treatments. They give you an idea of what to expect and how to cope with the side effects that may or may not occur. It's good to know what's normal and what isn't, when to check in with your doctor and when you can handle things on your own.I liked that they wrote the book in easy to understand language and addressed a lot of practical issues like coping with hair loss, digestive changes, dealing with nausea, diarrhea or constipation and mouth and throat problems. Actually the anti-nausea medications are so good these days that a majority of people don't feel nausea at all. They name some of the common anti-nausea drugs and tell how each one works which I found useful. Another chapter that I really liked was the one on blood tests results and how to make sense of them. Looking these things up on the internet can be very confusing sometimes. Which ones are the most important, which one just follow some of the other values and which can be treated with drugs should they drop too low? This book explains all that. Oncologists usually provide some of this information but with so many questions and things to remember from a visit, it's nice to have it in book form where you can just go back and refer to it as different issues arise.A few of the chapters were contributed by other experts such as the one on nutrition during chemo and the one on mind and body connection. These were very helpful and contributed lots of good ideas and suggestions. Stress, fertility, sexuality, the IV experience, relaxation techniques and finally life after treatments and being a survivor are all covered in this book. Just knowing what to expect, what to call your doctor about and what you can do yourself to address some of the issues can make the whole experience a little easier to deal with and a lot less scary. If you or a loved one is facing chemo, this book will help all of you get through it.

Cancer is chilling, whether it happens to us, or to someone we love. Lots of us want to put our fingers in our ears and sing, "La-la-la, I can't hear you," and learn as little as possible about this disease. Until the day comes when we HAVE to learn about it. Then there is SO much information and it is all confusing as hell and terrifying.This incredibly informative book breaks it down into 16 chapters that are intuitive and helpful. It can be read in order, or we can skip directly to: the chapter on Understanding Blood Tests, what the different kinds of blood cells are, and what lab results mean. Or, perhaps, the chapters on Preventing Nausea, or Coping with Other Digestion Changes. There are sections on relaxation, on Mind and Body working together, on Fertility, and Sexuality, and on Life After Cancer.The language at the beginning of the chapters felt a little simplistic and condescending, along the lines of: "A beach is a place where the water washes in from the ocean." But pretty soon, I was in over my head, and VERY grateful that this book translated the medical jargon into easy-to-understand language and clear, uncomplicated explanations.If you have cancer, or love someone who does, I highly recommend this book as a primer (get the paperback rather than e-version, so it can be more easily passed around the family), for understanding all the things you need to know. I felt SO much more empowered and knowledgeable after reading it.

I gave this title 4 stars because there is always room for improvement. I did get a lot of info in this book. I am a first time cancer patient. I have Metastatic breast cancer that has also traveled to the lymph nodes. I am going to chemo therapy tomorrow and have finished this book today. It has quieted my inner fears quit a bit. I would definitely refer this book to any and all cancer patients, first timers or patients with many cancer experiences. I feel better knowing what I know now thanks to this book...thank you so much...

I have non hodgkins lymphoma type B. Like most people diagnosed with cancer, I was initially in denial, then I decided to get informed and arm myself with knowledge. This was one of the key tools in my arsenal.There is so much good information in this book, it's not even funny. Nearly everything else out there is written by doctors with a hand out from the pharmaceutical industry or groups with direct ties to Big Pharma. This book is written by two oncological nurses who have seen patients with cancer for years and have cared for them, not just diagnosed them. As such it has lots of great tips for making your daily life with chemo easier.The chapter on diet and nutrition single-handedly saved me from vomiting through cycles after my second one. Using ice pops when you're sick of fluids was an amazing insight, too. While the book doesn't address specific chemo regimens, all persons on chemotherapy should find it helpful. I also found it helpful at explaining some aspects of my condition to my mother.Highly, highly recommended for persons undergoing chemotherapy and their caregivers.