There are medicines to help boost those if warranted. Other tips are to monitor bouts with fatigue, so you can predict your energy levels, eat balanced meals and drink plenty of water. And don't be afraid to ask for help if you can't manage. Keep your caregiver involved and busy. Make sure your spouse, caregiver or support person stays attuned to how the treatments are affecting you and keep them informed of changes.
Cancer care is ever-changing.
Each treatment is tailor-made to the patient and their particular cancer, and the drugs being used days are better, faster, more efficient, more personalized. White blood cell counts plummet during the second third of each chemotherapy. Avoid situations where you might get cuts and scrapes. While dose reduction is often utilized to bring the severely low blood counts up, it is is not recommended, as this tactic sometimes reduces the survival rate of breast cancer patients, Cheong said. More than a third of chemo patients say they experience depression and stress.