SIDE EFFECTS/SYMPTOMS TO REPORT TO YOUR DOCTOR FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY

Transcription

1 SIDE EFFECTS/SYMPTOMS TO REPORT TO YOUR DOCTOR FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY

2 CREATION Health C HOICE IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD IMPROVED HEALTH R EST IS BOTH A GOOD NIGHT S SLEEP AND TAKING TIME TO RELAX DURING THE DAY E NVIRONMENT IS WHAT LIES OUTSIDE OUR BODIES, YET AFFECTS WHAT TAKES PLACE INSIDE US A CTIVITY INCLUDES STRETCHING, MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT AND AEROBIC ACTIVITY T RUST IN GOD SPEAKS TO THE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY AND HEALING I NTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR WELL-BEING O UTLOOK COLORS OUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE, INFLUENCES OUR HEALTH AND IMPACTS PROGRESSION OF DISEASE N UTRITION IS THE FUEL THAT DRIVES OUR WHOLE SYSTEM

3 Importance of Communicating ** SYMPTOMS OR FEELINGS WHICH YOU MIGHT NOT NORMALLY CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN COULD POSSIBLY BE A BIGGER CHALLENGE DURING YOUR CHEMOTHERAPY EXPERIENCE ***DO TELL YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT ANY UNUSUAL FEELING OR DISCOMFORT THAT YOU HAVEN T EXPERIENCED BEFORE OR THAT YOU DON T CONSIDER NORMAL FOR YOUR BODY

4 Signs of Infection Temperature higher than Chills/Sweating Severe cough or sore throat Mouth sores or tenderness Pain on urination Rectal discomfort Redness, swelling, or tenderness, especially around a wound, sore, pimple, existing or previous IV catheter site, or vascular access device such as a port, picc, or groshong Abdominal pain

5 Signs of Bleeding Bruises Petechiae (are pin-point red spots under the skin) Blood in urine or stool A nose bleed that will not stop Coughing up blood or notice blood in secretions Bleeding gums Unusual or persistent bleeding from anywhere

6 Uncontrolled Nausea or Vomiting If nausea and/or vomiting occurs, please take antinausea medication as ordered by your physician If no prescription was given to you by your doctor or if the medicine fails to give you adequate relief, please contact your doctor

7 Uncontrolled Diarrhea or Constipation If you experience uncontrolled diarrhea or constipation not relieved by routine medications: Please contact your doctor for further evaluation, as this could be a sign of complications or require further treatment

8 Headaches or Visual Changes Headaches and/or visual changes can be signs of serious complications and should also be reported to your physician immediately

9 Fluid Retention Examples of holding onto fluid might include: Swelling in your feet, ankles or face Shortness of breath Weight gain over a couple of days Sleeves or neck line feels tight

10 Other Signs to Report Tell your physician: If you feel numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes Ringing in your ears

11 Further Instructions When you are receiving the chemotherapy, the IV site should not hurt, burn, or sting in ANY way. If any of these do occur let your nurse know IMMEDIATELY Avoid crowds and stay away from people with colds, flu, or infection Avoid immunizations or children who have recently been immunized unless you first check with your MD Wash your hands often and with extra care before eating and after using the bathroom (Sing the Happy Birthday song twice while washing hands to ensure thorough cleaning)

12 Further Instructions Cont d Take a warm bath or shower EVERY day and pat (don t rub) your skin dry Clean your rectal area gently but thoroughly after each bowel movement DO NOT take Tylenol, Aspirin, or Aspirin products without your doctor s knowledge or permission DO NOT take herbs, teas, vitamins, or juices high in antioxidants without your doctor s knowledge or permission as this may interfere with the effectiveness of your treatment DO get your physicians OK to drink alcoholic beverages

13 Further Instructions Cont d Avoid situations in which you may bruise or break your skin (i.e. contact sports) Take special care when using scissors, needles, or knives DO NOT cut the cuticle of the nails Use soft toothbrush that will not hurt your gums Avoid dental work, even teeth cleaning, unless approved by your physician first To avoid injury to your skin, use an electric razor instead of a straight razor Use lotion or oil if skin becomes dry or cracked Check with your doctor before applying antiseptic, lotion, or oil to any rash or acne

14 For Individualized Education PLEASE CONTACT: ONCOLOGY CARE COORDINATOR

15 Questions?? 1. AT WHAT TEMPERATURE AND HIGHER SHOULD I NOTIFY MY PHYSICIAN? ANSWER: F OR HIGHER 2. SHOULD I NOTIFY MY PHYSICIAN OF BLOOD IN MY STOOL? ANSWER: YES 3. SHOULD I EXPERIENCE ANY BURNING OR DISCOMFORT AT MY IV SITE WHEN RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY? ANSWER: NO