Ups And Downs Of Chemotherapy Research Paper

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Pages: 6

Ups And Downs Of Chemotherapy

The word Cancer brings different emotions, thoughts, fears to the person and family that receive this diagnoses. As Sidney Jones says “ Not knowing would you be here for tomorrow, the thoughts of has your life been meaningful”(Jones). These are all things that we as humans consider when our mortality is questioned.One of the many treatments for cancer is chemotherapy. Having to take chemotherapy treatment has its effects on the patient financially, physically, mentally and emotionally. There are many ups and downs to chemotherapy, financial, physical, mental and emotional.

All around, cancer drugs are increasing in price faster and faster. The twelve drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for various
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A catheter is a small plastic tube which is inserted into your vein to receive the chemotherapy drugs; this method is known as intravenous or IV treatment. These treatments can be used for short term or long term chemotherapy treatment. Although longer treatments, the IV method can leave scarring and damage of the veins. Another method is the (CVC) method which is a central venous catheter. This method is similar to the IV method but is used in a large vein usually on the chest or upper arm and is kept in throughout the course of treatment. The port method is another method where a port is permanently placed, during surgery, under the skin in the chest or forearm. Special needles are stuck through the skin into the port to use it. Other ways to receive chemotherapy drugs are: Oral pills, capsules or liquids, intrathecal or IT (where a drug is put into the spinal canal), intra-arterial (where drugs are put directly into an artery), intracavitary (where drugs are given through a catheter into the abdominal cavity), intramuscular (drugs are given as a shot into muscle), intralesional (drugs are given through a needle directly into a tumor), and topical (drugs are given as a cream, gel or ointment). When taking chemotherapy in any of these methods it should not be painful to the patient. Getting a shot or insertion of a catheter may be painful but actually taking the medication is not. Although …show more content…
This makes patients more prone to infections and even the common cold can become a big problem as the patient’s immune systems are weak. Bone marrow problems happen in large percentages chemotherapy patients. Your red cells, white cells and platelets are located inside your bone marrow. Some patients experience anemia where the bone marrow does not produce enough red blood cells. Some symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, paleness, shortness of breath, weakness and a racing heart can be a low red blood cell count or anemia. The body is more prone to common illnesses and infection when there is a low white blood cell count. Hair loss is a very consistent side effect of chemotherapy. Some patients may or may not lose their hair depending on the chemotherapy drugs they're taking. In society today, hair loss during chemotherapy is acknowledged that you are a fighter, battling your illness. Most of the time hair grows back after treatments are over, although it may be a different texture or color. (How Much Does Chemotherapy