Cancer Treatment

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We are now as close as your mobile phone, walking with you throughout your care.

Being sick is stressful. And cancer treatment can sometimes create a sense of “information-overload” because there’s so much to learn and remember on the path to recovery.

We’re here to help, and we’re as close as your mobile phone. We want to walk with you throughout your cancer treatment. That’s why we designed Healthy-TXT programs; bite-sized information that’s easy to understand, right at your fingertips, delivered directly to your phone via text message.

It’s three easy steps to sign up for Healthy-TXT’s Cancer Treatment Program:

1.                  Ask your health care team for program information;

2.                  Sign the consent form; and

3.                  Begin receiving messages that will help you on your journey to good health.

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll begin to receive cancer care information – including appointment reminders, tips on managing side effects, inspirational messages, and other vital care information – on your mobile phone.

 With Healthy-TXT’s Cancer Treatment Program, there is no paper—all of your information is stored in one place.It’s a program that keeps you informed, and helps you to stay on track throughout your treatment and recovery.

We also believe that surrounding yourself with a circle of care will help you immensely throughout your treatment and recovery; during the sign-up process you can include family members, friends, or caregivers in your “Care Circle” to receive the same text messages you are receiving, at the same time.

You will also find more helpful information below regarding your care.

Contact Us
If you have any concerns during your course of care please call us at 877-737-4636 – we are with you every step of the way.

Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, Saint Elizabeth Campus
1431 North Claremont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622
www.presencehealth.org/stmary-elizabeth

View larger map for directions

Chemotherapy Information

Pre-chemotherapy Information and Common Side Effects
You are scheduled to receive chemotherapy. The benefits from chemotherapy include the easing and/or reducing of cancer-related symptoms and/or pain, decreasing tumor size, and/or prolonging your life expectancy. While everyone reacts differently, chemotherapy does affect your entire body in a variety of ways.

Fatigue
One of the most common side effects, this symptom ranges from feeling slightly tired to being totally wiped out. This is the kind of fatigue that persists even after a good night’s sleep…but it does tend to stop once chemotherapy ends.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting – Two of the most dreaded side effects, the severity of these symptoms depends on the type of chemo you receive, and your response to it. You may need to try different types, but anti-nausea medication does help, as does eating smaller, more frequent meals, and trying to relax.
Appetite or taste changes
These common symptoms can sometimes be remedied by trying new, different foods to spark your interest in eating. Being active may also inspire your appetite. Try eating with plastic utensils if your food tastes metallic.
Mouth sores/gum and throat problems
Chemo can make these areas dry and irritated and cause sores. A pre-chemo dental checkup/teeth-cleaning is good preventive medicine. Avoid commercial mouthwash as it can irritate. Eat soft, soothing foods at room temperature; avoid irritating, acidic foods such as citrus fruit and juice; and suck on popsicles or ice chips.
Bowel habit changes
Constipation and diarrhea are sometimes associated with chemotherapy. In both cases it’s important to stay hydrated. Constipation can be relieved to some degree by exercise and eating more fruits and vegetables. With diarrhea, fruits, vegetables, spicy foods, and dairy products ought to be avoided.
Hair loss
Certain types of chemo cause mild to severe hair loss to the head – and all other body parts – for many people. Although hair usually grows back after treatment, deciding in advance whether to wear a wig, shave your head bald, or wear scarves and turbans is one way to prepare. Getting a short hair cut prior to treatment is often a helpful transitional step. If you opt for a wig, ask your physician to write you a hair prosthesis prescription, and buy your wig in advance to match your hair color.
Anemia
Some types of chemotherapy deplete red bloods cells, resulting in anemia. Being anemic can make you feel weak and/or very tired. Choosing the most important things to do each day and leaving the rest may help you cope, as well as balancing rest with activity. Try to get 8 hours of sleep every night. Eat high-protein foods such as eggs, meat, and peanut butter, as well as those rich in iron such as cooked dried beans, leafy greens, and red meat.
Skin and nail changes
Chemo sometimes causes acne, color changes, dryness, itching, peeling, rashes, and/or redness. Nails can become brittle, cracked, darkened, or develop vertical lines. Avoid skin dryness by taking short, warm showers rather than long, hot baths; apply moisturizers after bathing; avoid perfumes, colognes, and aftershave lotion; and use cornstarch for itching. Protect your nails by wearing gloves when doing household chores.

While most skin problems aren’t serious, call your physician immediately if you notice swelling or feel pain or burning sensations near your IV site when you are receiving treatment. If you develop sudden or severe itching, break out in a rash or hives, or start wheezing or having trouble breathing, you may be having an allergic reaction, and need to seek attention immediately.

Finger and toe numbness and tingling
Some chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy, otherwise known as numbness and tingling in your extremities. If this happens, contact your physician immediately as your chemo drugs will need to be changed to avoid permanent nerve damage.
Muscle weakness
Some chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy (PN), resulting in muscle weakness, burning sensations, pins and needles, tingling, and/or numbness and tingling in your hands and feet. PN can cause clumsiness, a loss of balance, problems walking, jaw pain, hearing loss, vision changes, stomach pain, constipation, and sore, tired, and weak muscles. If this happens, contact your physician immediately as your chemo drugs will need to be changed to avoid permanent nerve damage.
Allergic and infusion-induced reactions
Allergic reactions may include fever, chills, rash and difficulty breathing – call you doctor if you have a fever at or above 100.5 or difficulty breathing
When to call your doctor
After having your chemotherapy, you may be at risk for infections, bleeding, nausea/vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation.

If you have any of these symptoms, please call your doctor:

  1. Fever with a temperature of 100.5 F. or higher with or without chills
  2. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (more than usual) with any activity
  3. Pain not relieved with your pain medication
  4. Bleeding from your nose and mouth; blood in the urine or blood in your stool
  5. Severe nausea and vomiting; you can’t eat or drink for 24 hours
  6. If you have sores in your mouth or has difficulty swallowing
  7. If you have diarrhea or constipation for more than two days
What to Expect Over the Course of Chemotherapy

3 Key Chemo Questions, Asked & Answered

For most people, the journey through cancer treatment is unchartered territory…and they are understandably apprehensive. Many people who’ve experienced chemotherapy say that knowing what to expect helped them to prepare emotionally, physically, and mentally for chemotherapy. Here are 5 frequently asked questions, the answers to which you may find helpful:

Helpful Resources
General Cancer Information
Support and Networking
Coping with Side Effects

Co-Sponsors – Healthy TXT and Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center