You never thought you’d get to see yourself in the doctor’s clinic hearing the words, “You have cancer.” But it is a reality for a lot of people, especially since cancer remains Thailand’s leading cause of death.
But cancer isn’t really the end game, thanks to different treatments available to help eradicate it from your body. One of these is chemotherapy (รักษาคีโม), which is still known as the most effective treatment option against any type of cancer. So how can you prepare yourself for chemotherapy?
- Allow your body to get a good rest. Ask any cancer patient, and they’ll tell you that fatigue is the hardest side effect of getting chemotherapy. In fact, some would say that the exhaustion that you feel after every session is like any other, so it’s very important to get as much rest as you can before the treatment begins. Also, make sure to get plenty of rest after each session to give your body time to regain its energy so you can be strong enough for the next treatment.
- Prepare for the possibility of hair loss. You’ve seen it in the movies and dread it the most, but hair loss is a reality for most cancer patients, and it’s also one of the most difficult to deal with emotionally. When you start chemotherapy, you’ll begin to experience hair loss for about three weeks after the first session. While some only experience a few hairs falling, some find huge clumps when they comb their hair or on their pillows. This can be an extremely emotional time, especially if you’re used to growing your hair long. But just remember that this hair loss is only temporary, and your hair will grow back once you’re done with treatment.
- Build your support system. Chemotherapy will hammer your body in ways that you can’t imagine. It will be tough on you physically, emotionally and psychologically, and the truth is, it would be hard to go through it alone. This is why you need to build a community who will support you in this journey, from your family to your medical team. These people will help you get through the rough days, cheer you on when you feel down and offer you comfort when you need it the most. Your support system will also help you feel normal even if you’re dealing with one of the biggest battles of your life.
Cancer is dreadful, and it can change your perspective in so many ways. You might feel lost and beaten at some point, but remember that if others can survive it, so can you. Chemotherapy has helped save and extend the lives of so many cancer patients. With the right hospital and medical team, that is a real possibility for you too. Get in touch with us so we can discuss the best treatment option for the type of cancer that you have. We’d be more than glad to help you every step of the way.
