• Talk about your feelings with friends
and family members with whom you
feel comfortable. You may want to
talk to a counselor or clergy person. It
is common to feel fearful or sad.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have
questions or concerns, feel that your
fatigue is getting worse, or are too tired
to get out of bed all day.
Fatigue can last as long as the cause
exists. Talk to your doctor about
cancer-related fatigue. Knowing why
you are tired can ease your concerns.
Your doctor may be able to prescribe
treatment that will help manage your
fatigue.
You can do some things to deal with
the fatigue. You may not feel like doing
these at fi rst, but they will help you to
feel better over time.
• Get enough rest and sleep. Take a
short nap in the morning or afternoon
if you feel tired, but don’t spend most
of the day in bed.
• If you are having trouble sleeping at
night, talk to your doctor or nurse. Go
to bed the same time each night. Have
a nighttime routine such as a warm
bath.
• Stay active. Light, regular exercise
such as walking can help your energy
level. Plan to get some form of light
exercise each day.
• Eat a healthful and varied diet of
nutritious foods. Drink plenty of water
or other fl uids each day, unless you
have been told by your doctor to limit
fl uids.
• Eat smaller meals throughout the day
to give you more energy. Your body
uses less energy to digest small meals.
Eating one or two large meals a day
can drain your energy.
• Allow time to do the activities that
you enjoy. Take up a new hobby
or project that you can work on for
short amounts of time. Try listening to
music, visiting with friends and family,
or looking through photos.
Nausea
Nausea may be a side effect of cancer
treatment. The most common causes
are chemotherapy and radiation therapy
directed at the gastrointestinal tract, liver,
or brain.
Nausea is an unpleasant wavelike feeling
in the back of the throat or stomach.
It is controlled by a part of the central
nervous system that controls involuntary
body functions. Nausea may or may
not result in vomiting — the forceful
emptying of the stomach, which is
controlled by a “vomiting center” in the
brain.
Preventing nausea and vomiting
will be part of your treatment with
chemotherapy. You may receive
medications in your IV line at the
time of your treatment. You may also
be prescribed pills to take to prevent
nausea. Be certain to take these as
directed — even on days you are feeling
well.
19