Saint Louis University

School of Nursing

REFLECTIONS

Submitted by: Ilagan, James Czar F.

BSN IV
Submitted to: Sir Stephen Zarate
Clinical Instructor

January 14,2019
Reflection:

Precautions before, during, and after Chemotherapy:

 What should I eat before my first chemo treatment?

- Make sure you eat something before the treatment. Most people eat light meal or snack an hour
before the chemotherapy. If you will be there for several hours, plan ahead and bring a small meal or
snack in an insulated bag or cooler.

 Can I be around my family and friends during the chemotherapy?

- Most chemo drugs make you less able to fight infection, but there are ways you can avoid them. These
are the following:

 Stay away from anyone who is sick.

 Wash your hands often, especially before touching your face, nose, mouth, or eyes. Ask your
family and friends to do the same when they are with you.

 Very few treatments require you to avoid close contact with loved ones for a short amount of
time. If this is something you’ll have to do, your doctor will tell you about it when going over
treatment options.

 Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. The flu shot is especially important because people
with cancer are at high risk of serious flu complications. Your health care provider will
recommend which vaccines you need.

 Infections can be picked up from food and drinks. So, food safety is very important when your
immune system is weak. Talk to your cancer care team about whether you need to follow a
special diet during your cancer treatment.

 Some pets can also transmit infections. So be sure to keep them healthy and take precautions
when you’re around them.

 How can I protect myself and those who I live with while I’m on chemo?

- During and for 48 hours after chemo:

 Flush the toilet twice after you use it. Put the lid down before flushing to avoid splashing. If
possible, you may want to use a separate toilet during this time. If this is not possible, wear
gloves to clean the toilet seat after each use.

 Both men and women should sit on the toilet to use it. This cuts down on splashing.

 Always wash your hands with warm water and soap after using the toilet. Dry your hands with
paper towels and throw them away.

 If you vomit into the toilet, clean off all splashes and flush twice. If you vomit into a bucket or
basin, carefully empty it into the toilet without splashing the contents and flush twice. Wash out
the bucket with hot, soapy water and rinse it; empty the wash and rinse water into the toilet,
then flush. Dry the bucket with paper towels and throw them away.
  Caregivers should wear 2 pairs of throw-away gloves if they need to touch any of your body
fluids. (These can be bought in most drug stores.) They should always wash their hands with
warm water and soap afterward – even if they had gloves on.

 If a caregiver does come in contact with any of your body fluids, they should wash the area very
well with warm water and soap. It’s not likely to cause any harm, but try to avoid this. At your
next visit, let your doctor know this happened. Being exposed often may lead to problems, and
extra care should be taken to avoid this.

 Any clothes or sheets that have body fluids on them should be washed in your washing machine
not by hand. Wash them in warm water with regular laundry detergent. Do not wash them with
other clothes. If they can’t be washed right away, seal them in a plastic bag.

 If using throw-away adult diapers, underwear, or sanitary pads, seal them in 2 plastic bags and
throw them away with your regular trash.

Advantage:

The effects of chemotherapy are not all physical. One of the first things we nurses should tell our
patients who are going to start chemotherapy is to prepare themselves intellectually, emotionally, and
physically. From a physical aspect, rest, a healthy diet, and exercise can help to ensure you begin
chemotherapy treatments with the strongest, most resilient body possible. Intellectually, train your
mind to focus on health and recovery, not on illness and death. Emotionally, look for a support group
where you can go to express your fears and anxiety about the process. The love and support of family
and friends is a crucial element of healing, but it can be difficult to share your true emotions if you feel
like you have to put on a happy face to keep loved ones from worrying about you.

Strength:

As I read the topic about how to prepare for first time chemo patient, every topic and skills that we have
practiced came back to my mind and became more knowledgable about what to do in preparing for
chemo and while having chemotherapy. First time cancer patients may be still in stage of depression and
anxiety, so it is important to give them the support they deserve for us health care provider and also, it
is important to include the family and the patient’s love ones during the treatment. I learned that it is
important for them to know the important precautions before, during and after the treatment and side
effects of the chemotherapy for them to further expect what could happen during the therapy.

Reference:

American Cancer Society (2019) Getting Chemotherapy. Retrieved on January 12,2019 from
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-
types/chemotherapy/getting-chemotherapy.html?fbclid=IwAR1h9mkWqY-aIGJtu6KIkxnCj-
UA7ROm0wNQmLT5tz6-LUSbtkM4TcTEdJw

Theobald M. (22 March 2013) How to Prepare for Chemotherapy. Retrieved on January 12,2019 from
https://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer/how-to-prepare-for-chemotherapy-7064.aspx