Before my diagnosis pleural mesothelioma husband Brian, the only thing I knew about it was chemotherapy made the sickening people and caused hair loss. But the intricacies of how he worked to kill cancer cells were a mystery to me.
I am happy to keep it that way.
That all changed when the doctor Brian chemotherapy recommended to relieve the symptoms of his illness. Suddenly, I wanted to know all about this treatment and its potential effects on the body.
I searched the web and learned that chemotherapy is a pretty nasty business. His only point is that he managed to eradicate curable cancers and alleviate symptoms of these cancers that can not be cured to improve the quality of life.
A quick overview of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the administration of toxic drugs in the body for the sole purpose of quickly killing the cancer cell division. Unfortunately, it also destroys other cells that divide rapidly, including those that include hair, nails and skin.
I am relieved that the healthy cells in the body recover more quickly than the cancer cells and some side effects, like nausea and vomiting, go shortly after chemotherapy ends.
specific drugs and how they are delivered will vary from patient to patient depending on the type and stage of cancer, the patient's health and other factors.
support group for patients and caregivers
Learn from others by joining our monthly online support group led by a consultant licensed mental health.
can Chemo assign a Caregiver?
Sitting beside Brian on the day he began treatment, I noticed the nurses who administer chemotherapy drugs her wearing purple rubber gloves and heavy aprons. The sight of this made me realize how toxic these drugs should be.
While Brian was under his treatment, my only concern was his welfare and the effects of drugs on the body. After an interesting conversation with a nurse later that day, I learned that treating Brian could also have a detrimental effect on my body.
The conversation began after I noticed the hospital staff directing chemotherapy patients to a separate bathroom as everyone else. The door to the bathroom was a large purple sign that matched the color of nurses' gloves. It read: "Toxic - for the use of chemotherapy in patients only."
It made me think: Is Brian needs a separate toilet at home after his chemotherapy? So I asked the nurse. I'm glad I did, too.
She said the chemotherapy drugs remain in the body fluids of a patient for up to 72 hours after the end of therapy. This means that drugs are present in vomit, urine and feces during this time.
If others are exposed to the body fluids, or by skin contact or inhalation, it can lead to a number of conditions, including:
- rash
- stomach pain
- Headache
- allergic reactions
in extreme cases, it can even lead to cancer.
Precautions
The nurse warned me that caregivers of chemotherapy patients are particularly at risk. She listed several precautions to protect my health after each of Brian chemotherapy sessions:
- If there are two toilets in the house, the chemotherapy patient should use, and caregiver should use the other for at least 48 hours after treatment ends. If there is a toilet, male patients should sit when urinating to avoid splashing. Once completed, they need to lower the lid and rinse twice.
- If the patient vomits in the toilet, tell them to close the lid and rinse twice. If the patient vomit splashed on or around the toilet, the caregiver needs to disposable rubber gloves, use paper towels to clean up the spill, throw them in the toilet, close the lid and rinse twice. Once the area is clean, remove the gloves, throw them out and wash hands thoroughly with warm soapy water.
- When it comes to sexual intimacy, avoid open mouth kissing and use protection. Chemotherapy drugs are present in the saliva, semen and vaginal secretions.
- Wash plates and cups used only by the patient of chemotherapy in a dishwasher, or use disposable plates and utensils. If there is no dishwasher, make sure the water is warm and soapy. Carefully dry the dishes.
- Do not wash any bedding or linens soiled with body fluids in hand. Place all soiled items in the washing machine and wash twice on the hot cycle. Make sure not to mix the machine with any other garment. If they can not be washed right away, keep them clear of other elements by sealing them in a plastic bag.
Following these instructions while your loved undergoes treatment can help ensure that you stay safe while offering the best level of care possible.
