Chemo Regimen FAQs: CMF Chemotherapy

• Fatigue: This is pretty much a given with any kind of chemo. You're losing a fair number of red blood cells, the cells that carry oxygen around your body. You'll find it harder than usual to do just about anything, from getting out of bed in the morning to climbing a flight of stairs to simply doing the dishes. Be good to yourself; rest when you need to. On the other hand, don't just lie around constantly; exercise, even if it's only a short walk around the yard, will make you feel better.

• Susceptibility to infection: Like your red blood cells, some of your white blood cells will be destroyed, too. These are the cells that fight off infections, so be extra-careful; act like it's the height of flu season. Wash your hands, avoid crowds, stay away from sick people... If you get sick during chemo, you're likely to get REALLY sick, perhaps even require hospitalization. So take extra precautions; it's probably not a good idea to go shopping at the mall, work out at the gym, or go swimming in a public pool.

• Susceptibility to sunburn: This is a special side effect of "F." You'll be more likely than usual to get a sunburn, so wear a hat, slather on the sunblock, and just plain stay out of the sun as much as possible.

• Weight gain. GRRRRRR! Wouldn't you know you're having one of the few chemo treatments that can actually promote weight gain? Don't try to starve yourself, or even to diet, during chemo; you need to stay healthy. So eat right: low fat, lots of fruits and vegetables, plenty of fluids. Don't worry, you can work on taking the weight off, if you do gain, once you're through with treatment.

• Chemo brain: This rather disheartening side effect is experienced by many women as they go through chemo. And in about 15 percent of women, it lingers for years. Imagine your brain is a blackboard: chemo-brain is the eraser. Short-term memory loss and difficulty concentrating are its main characteristics. You may forget your best friend's name, your own phone number, or which way to turn a doorknob... any number of heretofore simple tasks are made more difficult, simply because you've (temporarily, hopefully) lost some short-term memory. Until very recently, this side effect wasn't officially recognized, nor taken seriously. But now, as more and more women experience it, researchers are trying to figure out just what's going on, and how to provide relief. If you do run up against chemo-brain, try not to stress; if it doesn't disappear pretty quickly once you finish chemo, it should lessen over time.

That wraps up the main possibilities. Remember: you'll follow your own path. You may experience none of this (lucky you!); you may have some personal side effects of your very own, ones not listed here. The most important thing to remember: let your doctor or chemo nurse know how and what you're feeling. They want you to feel better, and they'll work with you towards that goal. Repeat after me: I will not suffer in silence! Best of luck.