What is a chemo pre assessment?
Pre-assessment. Before patients begin their chemotherapy treatment they are invited in to the ward to be assessed by a chemotherapy nurse. This visit allows the nurse to gauge the patient’s current health needs before starting treatment and to check that any necessary support is in place that may be required.
How do you prepare your body for chemotherapy?
Stay healthy and strong.
- Take it easy.
- Don’t compare your body to how it was before chemotherapy.
- Drink lots of water.
- Go for a walk every day, if possible.
- Try to eat something. …
- Read the provided handouts regarding chemotherapy and its side effects.
- Try acupuncture to help alleviate pain and nausea.
What do you need for first chemo treatment?
Items To Bring To Chemotherapy
- A loved one. “Bring somebody,” Ruiz says. …
- Snacks. At Henry Ford, crackers and juice are often available, but patients are encouraged to bring their own. …
- Hard candy. …
- Lip balm. …
- Laptop, iPad or iPhone. …
- Knitting. …
- Pillow and blanket. …
- Reading materials.
Why do I need an echocardiogram before chemotherapy?
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and an echocardiogram (echo) are tests that help find problems with the heart muscle, valves, or rhythm. You may need 1 or both of these tests before starting some cancer treatments, like certain chemotherapy or a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
How can I protect my kidneys during chemo?
During treatment
Certain medicines, such as amifostine (Ethyol), may be given to protect the kidneys from damage when nephrotoxic chemotherapy is given. The dose of the drug may be lowered or the drug may be stopped completely if there is kidney damage.
What foods should be avoided during chemotherapy?
Foods to avoid (especially for patients during and after chemo):
- Hot, spicy foods (i.e. hot pepper, curry, Cajun spice mix).
- Fatty, greasy or fried foods.
- Very sweet, sugary foods.
- Large meals.
- Foods with strong smells (foods that are warm tend to smell stronger).
- Eating or drinking quickly.
What makes chemo patients feel better?
Ginger chews, ginger ale and saltines helped Kakutani. Eat small amounts of food throughout the day, said Joanne Taylor, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. She also found that chicken, salmon, broccoli and beet juice helped her feel better during chemo.
What are good snacks for chemo patients?
Snacks
- cheese or hummus and crackers.
- buttered pikelets, scones, muffins, fruit buns, finger buns and raisin toast.
- celery with cream cheese or peanut butter.
- hard-boiled eggs.
- dried fruit and nuts.
- jaffles and sandwiches – try fillings such as peanut butter, cheese, avocado, egg and mayonnaise, cold meats, salmon and tuna.
What should I eat before starting chemo?
What do I eat before going to chemotherapy?
- Plain or Fruited yogurt.
- Fresh fruit and cottage cheese.
- Poached egg and toast.
- Toasted bagel with a small amount of peanut butter.
- Cereal and milk (try Lactaid® milk, or Soy milk, if lactose intolerant)
- Chicken rice soup with saltine crackers.
What is the difference between ECHO and ECG?
Although they both monitor the heart, EKGs and echocardiograms are two different tests. An EKG looks for abnormalities in the heart’s electrical impulses using electrodes. An echocardiogram looks for irregularities in the heart’s structure using an ultrasound.
How do doctors know if chemo is working?
The best way to tell if chemotherapy is working for your cancer is through follow-up testing with your doctor. Throughout your treatment, an oncologist will conduct regular visits, and blood and imaging tests to detect cancer cells and whether they’ve grown or shrunk.