Chemotherapy and Radiation For Dummies by Lyss, Alan P. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Contents Introduction

About This Book Conventions Used in This Book What You Don’t Have to Read Foolish Assumptions How This Book Is Organized Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here

Part I : Your Journey Through Cancer Treatments: Preparing for the Trip Chapter 1: Recognizing the Realities of Chemotherapy and Radiation

Making Peace with Your Diagnosis Gathering Information Shopping for Cancer Specialists Considering Options Exploring Virtual Chemotherapy Trying on Radiation Therapy for Size Sending for Help Looking Beyond Cancer Treatments

Chapter 2: The Mutants Take Over: A Primer on Cancer

Demystifying the “C” Word Watching the Immune System in Action Discovering How Treatments Fight Back Considering Risk Factors Looking to the Future: Ongoing Research Speaking of the “C” Word Keeping Your Sense of Humor

Chapter 3: You Will Be Tested: What All Those Tests Show

Passing a Battery of Tests Playing the Waiting Game Setting the Stage for Treatment Recognizing Symptoms of Cancer Appreciating Early Detection

Part II : Your Choices along the Way: Making Good Ones Chapter 4: Defining Chemotherapy: The Anticancer Drugs

Getting Some Chemotherapy Basics Investigating Different Delivery Systems Evaluating Your Oncologist’s Recommendation Making the Best Choice for You

Chapter 5: Defining Radiation: A Burning Issue

Understanding Radiation Therapy Evaluating Your Radiation Oncologist’s Recommendation Making the Best Choice for You

Chapter 6: Setting New Standards: The Role of Clinical Trials

Grasping the Importance of Clinical Trials Deciding Whether to Participate Taking Part in a Clinical Trial Feeling Good About Taking Part

Chapter 7: Getting a Second Chance: Bone Marrow Transplants

Demystifying Bone Marrow Transplants Exploring the Types of Transplants Searching for a Donor Preparing for a Bone Marrow Transplant Comparing Retrieval Methods Undergoing the Rescue Process Keeping an Eye Out for Post-Rescue Problems

Part III : Chemotherapy: What to Expect and How to Deal with Side Effects Chapter 8: What to Expect During Chemotherapy: A Head-to-Toe Mouthwash

Your First Appointment: Getting the Toughest One Out of the Way Continuing with Chemo Asking for the Support You Need Giving Yourself a Break

Chapter 9: Gimme a Boost: Immune and Bone Marrow Stimulants

Boning Up on Bone Marrow Boosting the Immune System Recognizing an Infection Considering Supplements

Chapter 10: Coping with Serious Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Considering What’s to Come Keeping an Eye on Kidney and Bladder Function Combating Nausea Facing Fatigue Fighting Pain Demystifying Depression Confronting Infertility Losing Your Hair

Chapter 11: Coping with Less Serious Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Considering What’s to Come Battling Intestinal Disarray Retaining Fluids Experiencing Vision Problems Fighting Fuzzy Thinking Losing Interest in Food Troubleshooting Skin and Nail Problems

Part IV : Radiation: What to Expect and How to Deal with Side Effects Chapter 12: What to Expect During Radiation: Tattoos and Moisturizer

Your First Appointments: Getting the Toughest Ones Out of the Way Experiencing the Real Thing Soothing Your Skin Making Wardrobe Adjustments Seeking the Support You Need Giving Yourself a Break

Chapter 13: Coping with Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Considering What’s to Come Fending Off Fatigue Caring for Your Skin Soothing Inflamed Mucous Membranes Experiencing Diarrhea Saying “No” to Nausea Living with Lymphedema Looking Out for Pneumonitis Running to the Restroom Watching Your White Blood Count Dealing with Hair Loss Recognizing Depression

Part V : Your Success Strategies: Assembling Your Support Team Chapter 14: Your Health Professionals: Your Friends and Guides

Communicating with Your Doctors Seeking Help from a Psychologist Meeting Other Health Professionals

Chapter 15: Good Nutrition: Eating Right No Matter How You Feel

Welcoming New Members to the Team Knowing When You Need Help Catching Up on the Food Fights Boning Up on the Benefits Acknowledging the “A” List Plumbing the Pitfalls of Poor Eating Considering Problems that May Develop

Chapter 16: Meeting Spiritual Needs: Turning to Prayer and Meditation

Defining Distress Tallying Up the Benefits of Faith Talking about Spirituality with Your Doctors Examining Prayer Practices Accepting Prayers from Others Assessing the Healing Power of Prayer Listening to a Doctor on Spirituality Squaring Faith with Cancer

Chapter 17: Finding a Support Group: Realizing You Are Not Alone

Determining Your Level of Interest Defining “Group” Locating a Group Asking the Right Questions Seeking One-on-One Support Looking at the Benefits Assessing the Risks Helping Newcomers

Part VI : Your Future after Cancer Treatments: Looking Ahead Chapter 18: Finishing Therapy: An End and a Beginning

Monitoring Your Health after Cancer Coping with Long-Term Side Effects Reducing Your Hormone Level Working Out a Wellness Plan

Chapter 19: Dealing with Recurrence: Here We Go Again

Defining Recurrence Redefining Survivor Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster Establishing a Treatment Plan Considering Unconventional Treatments Facing the Future, Whatever Comes

Chapter 20: Defining Yourself after Cancer: The New Normal

Looking at Life Through New Eyes Making Semantic Decisions Allowing for Negativity Finding Inspiration in Amazing Recoveries Looking at Time Differently Protecting Yourself Emotionally Defining Your Boundaries at Home and Work Lightening Up

Part VII : The Part of Tens Chapter 21: Ten Myths about Cancer

Myth #1: When You Get Cancer, You Die Myth #2: If the Cancer Doesn’t Kill You, the Treatments Will Myth #3: Cancer Treatments Are One-Size-Fits-All Myth #4: You Can’t Work while You’re Having Cancer Treatments Myth #5: It Takes Forever to Get Over Cancer Treatments Myth #6: It’s Your Fault You Got Cancer Myth #7: The Medical Community Suppresses Alternative Healing Methods Myth #8: Now Your Family Will All Get Cancer Myth #9: Cancer Always Comes Back Myth #10: Nothing Is Ever the Same after Cancer

Chapter 22: Ten Ways for Family and Friends to Help You

Acknowledging That You Have Cancer Giving You Time to Accept the Diagnosis Holding You While You Cry Making You Laugh Seeking Help Coping from Someone Else Asking for Specific Ways to Help You Carrying Out Your Requests Offering What You Are Reluctant to Ask For Helping to Protect You Celebrating with You

Chapter 23: Ten Things Beyond Your Control

Turning Back the Clock Keeping the Diagnosis a Secret Encountering an Alien Culture Making New Friends Experiencing Mood Swings Facing Your Own Mortality Suffering Power Outages Missing Some Good Times Choosing the Texture of Your New Hair Receiving Help from Many Sources

Chapter 24: Ten Ways Life Will Be Better after Cancer

Cancer Goes Away Treatments End Fear Recedes A Sense of Adventure Grows Inner Strength Builds People Matter More Forgiveness Gains in Importance Support Comes Naturally The Tongue Loosens Time Flies

Chapter 25: Ten Sources for More Information

Searching the Web Coping with Cancer Magazine

Glossary

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