Supporting the Chemotherapy Patient in Your Life

Caring for and supporting a family member who is going through chemotherapy is a full time job. If your family member is otherwise healthy, it will be less complicated. If he or she has other health problems such as heart disease, other lung disease or diabetes, then the situation can become complicated. Chemotherapy treatments will dramatically increase their sugar levels. Therefore, you must monitor their sugar level at least each morning to discuss with the doctor and nurses. Keep a record of their sugar level for this purpose.

Some patients become very weak and need help walking, dressing and going to the bathroom, which takes away their dignity. Making these tasks humorous will help the family member to be more comfortable and there will be less of a chance that they become depressed. You need to ask if he or she feels any pain, nausea or dizziness, as the doctor and nurses will ask these questions. The patient may not remember, as loss of memory is another side effect of chemotherapy.

The oncologist will give you information on how to handle different side effects. Make yourself familiar with this information so you will know when to call the doctor. The chemotherapy can cause low white blood cell counts, which lowers the immune system, so you must protect your family member from infections by not allowing them to come into contact with anyone who is ill.

Regular blood counts are taken and you will be given a copy. Low red blood cell counts can cause fatigue, no energy, and weakness. Low platelets can cause bleeding and bruising. Low white blood cell counts indicate the patient is susceptible to infection. Make sure that your family member eats and that their atmosphere is made as happy as possible.