Chemotherapy  -  what is it?

 

I’m sure that there is a more eloquent answer, which takes into account all of the technology behind the whole thing, but putting it simply; it is spending time attached to a machine, which pumps chemicals into your blood stream.

 

The chemicals try and stop the cancer reproducing, and in the process also kill off some of the good cells; such as the ones that keep your hair intact.

The picture shown on the left is a typical setup for receiving chemotherapy.

 

The patient relaxes on a comfortable chair, resting their arm on the pillow. At this point the chemo nurse will usually insert a cannula (a little needle with a connector on the end) into a vein, and connect you up to the pump.

 

Depending on your regime, a series of saline flushes and chemicals are then slowly pumped into your body.

 

During the CHOP’s regime I remember a drug which made your urine bright red and fragrant, and another wonderful drug which made your bum really tingle (a most unusual feeling), but the nurses usually warn you when this is about to happen. Nothing to worry about though.

 

The picture on the right is of one of the pumps commonly used.

 

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