The Chemotherapy Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get Through Treatment

by Judith McKay, Tamera Schacher

When you're facing cancer treatment, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. Between the hospital or clinic environment and the medical terminology used by doctors and health care professionals, you may feel as though you've entered a foreign country. Written by two experienced oncology nurses, this compassionate and comprehensive guide explains in plain English everything you need to know about your treatment, including what you can expect at each stage of chemotherapy and what you can do to prevent or minimize side effects. Packed with practical suggestions, nutritional advice, relaxation skills, and other techniques to help strengthen your body and calm your mind, The Chemotherapy Survival Guide is a must-have resource for anyone navigating this difficult time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad has esophageal cancer; he was diagnosed Feb. 24. He's got a 4-inch tumor in his esophagus. I am powerless. The only thing I can do is to educate myself about the disease and the treatment, hence the book. Maybe I can help him get through this by understanding what he's going through mentally and physically. This book is by two compassionate and knowledgeable oncology nurses who provide an easy-to-understand guide to all things cancer.

I like the nurses' strategy and philosophy; it's giving me the focus I need right now:

"In preparing for any battle, you want to know as much about the enemy as you can. You want to know its location, resources, habits and weaknesses. From that information, you can develop a plan of attack that will give you the best chance of success."

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was excellent. At times a little repetitive but gave me so many things to help me through my treatment and understand what is happening to my body physically and emotionally.

[Beverly Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cancer is chilling, whether it happens to us, or to someone we love. Lots of us want to put our fingers in our ears and sing, "La-la-la, I can't hear you," and learn as little as possible about this disease. Until the day comes when we HAVE to learn about it. Then there is so much information and it is all confusing as hell and terrifying.

This incredibly informative book breaks it down into 16 chapters that are intuitive and helpful. It can be read in order, or we can skip directly to: the chapter on Understanding Blood Tests, what the different kinds of blood cells are, and what lab results mean. Or, perhaps, the chapters on Preventing Nausea, or Coping with Other Digestion Changes. There are sections on relaxation, on Mind and Body working together, on Fertility, and Sexuality, and on Life After Cancer.

The language at the beginning of the chapters felt a little simplistic and condescending, along the lines of: "A beach is a place where the water washes in from the ocean." But pretty soon, I was in over my head, and VERY grateful that this book translated the medical jargon into easy-to-understand language and clear, uncomplicated explanations.

If you have cancer, or love someone who does, I highly recommend this book as a primer (get the paperback rather than e-version, so it can be more easily passed around the family), for understanding all the things you need to know. I felt SO much more empowered and knowledgeable after reading it. (P.S. In case you're wondering, it's not me but a family member who has cancer.)

[C Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chemo, what now?

I gave this title 4 stars because there is always room for improvement. I did get a lot of info in this book. I am a first time cancer patient. I have Metastatic breast cancer that has also traveled to the lymph nodes. I am going to chemo therapy tomorrow and have finished this book today. It has quieted my inner fears quit a bit. I would definitely refer this book to any and all cancer patients, first timers or patients with many cancer experiences. I feel better knowing what I know now thanks to this book...thank you so much...

[Aja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource for the time prior to and during chemotherapy treatments. Of all of the books that I have read thus far dealing with cancer and it's treatment, I think that this has been by far the most valuable. Worth owning a copy to keep as reference. Deals with every aspect that will affect you during treatment, physical, mental, and emotional. Also explains the physiology of your healthy cells and cancer cells in a way that is understandable for people at any educational level.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book seems to tell it like it is. Good primer with lots of advice and tips. (2010)

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very general overview, but helpful in the initial "what to expect" phase of cancer treatment.

[Samira Farahani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and practical info. It's like a bible for caregivers before, during and after treatment.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone going through chemo should read...

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative

[Anita Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good source of information for anyone entering this daunting experience.