Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The side effects of chemotherapy can vary depending on the types of drugs used and your bodys reaction to the medication. Here are some things to expect after your first chemotherapy treatment:

• Rest: After your first treatment, try to rest. You may not feel side effects right away, but your body is hard at work.

• Side effects: Side effects can happen any time during, immediately after, or a few days or weeks after chemotherapy. Some common side effects include nausea and vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, changes in taste and smell, and hair loss.

• Preparing for side effects: Your medical team will work with you to plan for side effects common to your specific treatment. This can include recommendations about eating well, getting regular exercise, and taking medication to manage common side effects.

• Follow-up visits: Your medical team will meet with you regularly to discuss how you are doing and how the cancer treatment is progressing. During follow-up visits, you are encouraged to speak plainly about any difficulties you are experiencing so that your treatment or associated medications can be modified if needed.

• Scans: Your medical team may recommend scans of your body to check on progress. These scans provide important milestone information that your team will use to modify your treatment plan if needed.

• Flu-like symptoms: Around the third day following a chemotherapy treatment, some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains. If you experience these aches, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil.

• Delicate balance: There is a delicate balance between the benefits of chemotherapy and the harm of possible side effects. Please tell your doctor if you feel that the harm outweighs the benefit.

• Driving: You may need someone to drive you home after each treatment session.

It is important to remember that everyones experience with chemotherapy is different, and your medical team will work with you to manage your specific side effects and concerns.