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Chemotherapy (Chemo)

What to Bring, How to Prepare, and What to Expect

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses medicines to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. Chemo can be given as day care infusions (most common) or sometimes as admission/IPD depending on your plan.

What to Bring (Checklist)

Medical file (most important)

  • Your chemo plan / doctor notes (if already discussed)
  • Previous cycle papers (if you are coming for 2nd/3rd cycle)
  • Recent blood reports as advised (CBC, LFT/KFT etc.)
  • Any recent scan/report updates (if available)

Medicines & allergy details

  • List/photos of all current medicines
  • Allergy history (drug/food)
  • Tell us if you have diabetes/BP/heart problems/asthma or any chronic illness
  • Any supplements/ayurvedic/homeopathy you are taking (important to disclose)

Practical comfort items

  • Shawl/jacket (day care rooms can feel cool)
  • Water bottle, light snack (if allowed)
  • Phone charger, book/headphones
  • A small bag with tissues/wet wipes

Attendant

  • One attendant is recommended, especially for first cycle or if you feel weak after chemo.

How to Prepare (Before You Come)

Eating and hydration

  • Eat a light meal unless fasting is advised (usually no fasting for chemo unless told).
  • Stay hydrated from the previous day.

Rest and travel

  • Get good sleep the night before.
  • Try to avoid long travel alone after chemo, arrange support if possible.

Infection safety

  • Avoid crowded places if your doctor has warned you about low immunity.
  • If you have fever/cold/cough or recent infection, inform us before coming.

PART A: Chemo Day Care (Chemo Sitting)

What to Expect During Planning (Step-by-Step)

  • Registration / day care check-in
    • Your appointment is confirmed and your file is taken for processing.
  • Vitals + symptom check
    • BP, weight, temperature, and symptoms are checked.
  • Doctor review / fitness for chemo
    • The doctor reviews side effects from last cycle (if any) and confirms chemo for the day.
  • Blood test verification
    • If your reports are already available, they are checked.
    • If not done, you may be advised same-day blood tests.
  • IV line / Chemo Port access
    • Chemo may be given through an IV cannula or a chemo port (if you have one).
  • Pre-medications
    • Medicines are given to reduce nausea, acidity, and allergic reactions (as required).
  • Chemotherapy infusion
    • The chemo medicines are given slowly as per protocol.
    • You will be monitored during the infusion.
  • Observation and discharge instructions
    • After infusion, you receive instructions:
    • medicines to take at home
    • diet guidance
    • side effects to watch for
    • next appointment date

Typical Time Needed (Safe Range)

  • Total time in day care: 2 to 8 hours
    (some regimens may be shorter or longer—your team will guide.)

PART B: Daily Radiotherapy Sessions (Treatment Phase)

Common and manageable (often expected)

  • Nausea, acidity, reduced appetite
  • Fatigue/weakness
  • Body ache
  • Mild loose motions or constipation
  • Temporary hair fall (depends on regimen)
  • Mouth dryness or mild mouth ulcers
  • Tingling/numbness in hands/feet (in some medicines)

Call us immediately / come to Casualty if you have:

  • Fever (especially 100.4°F / 38°C or above)
  • Severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting
  • Uncontrolled vomiting (not able to keep fluids down)
  • Severe diarrhoea (repeated episodes) or blood in stool
  • Bleeding, bruising, or black stools
  • Sudden swelling of face/lips, itching, rash, tightness in chest
  • Very low urine output / severe weakness

(Fever after chemo is important—do not wait.)

Home Care After Chemo (Simple Do’s & Don’ts)

Do

  • Drink plenty of fluids unless restricted
  • Eat small frequent meals
  • Take medicines exactly as prescribed (anti-nausea, acidity, etc.)
  • Maintain hand hygiene; avoid sick contacts when immunity is low
  • Keep a note of symptoms to tell the doctor next visit

Don’t

  • Don’t take antibiotics or steroids on your own
  • Don’t ignore fever or severe weakness
  • Don’t take new supplements/alternative meds without informing your doctor

Chemo Cycles & Follow-ups (What patients should know)

  • Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles, with rest days in between.
  • Blood tests may be needed before each cycle to confirm it’s safe to proceed.
  • Your doctor may adjust doses based on side effects and blood counts—this is normal and done for safety.

Disclaimer

Chemo protocols vary based on cancer type, stage and patient fitness. Your team will confirm the exact schedule, medicines and precautions for you.

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