kate middleton undergoing cancer treatment: what to expect from chemotherapy
the best approach to cancer treatment and chemotherapy is understanding what to expect and how to deal with the ebbs and flows as best you can.
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after a whirlwind few weeks of speculation regarding kate middleton and her whereabouts, and the plethora of conspiracy theories surrounding her condition, the princess of wales announced she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
while the palace has remained tight-lipped about the ordeal, one thing rings true: kate middleton is a person and going through chemotherapy is an arduous and demanding task.
while it’s challenging to go through chemotherapy, it’s a vital and often effective way to overcome a cancer diagnosis. many people live to tell the tale of how they beat cancer, but also that chemotherapy was one of the most difficult things they had to contend with.
the best approach to cancer treatment and chemotherapy is understanding what to expect and how to deal with the ebbs and flows as best you can.
understanding chemotherapy
chemotherapy is one of the primary treatment options for cancer. it works by using chemicals to attack cells in the body, essentially killing them in the process to slow the spread and, hopefully, restore the body to optimal health where no cancer cells remain.
it can be used alone or alongside other treatments, such as surgery to remove tumours. chemotherapy is also often used as a preparation therapy or a first step in treatment before radiation or surgery. the therapy may also be used to relieve symptoms of cancer by destroying some cancer cells to improve the quality of life for palliative patients.
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in some cases, chemotherapy can be given orally in pill form but is typically delivered to the body via infusions into a vein using an iv (intravenous). other potential delivery methods include:
- shots injected into the muscle
- creams for various types of skin cancers
- direct-area administration, meaning the drugs are injected into a specific area of the body such as the chest cavity, abdomen, central nervous system, or urethra and bladder
preparing for chemotherapy
after diagnosis but before treatment, a person who has to undergo chemotherapy will also have to prepare. this involves:
- meeting with your medical team to discuss drug options and potential tests that may be conducted prior to starting chemotherapy
- establishing a cycle schedule for treatment, with most ranging from two to six weeks in length
- discussing potential side effects and possible remedies
during this phase, a person with cancer will iron out what the chemotherapy can do, what is needed from them while undergoing treatment, and what they can expect.
during the chemotherapy session
the process for being given chemotherapy will vary depending on the administration type, but the most commonly used intravenous method session will typically involve:
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- taking a blood test before starting
- meeting with the oncologist to be checked over for overall health scores and to go over the blood results
- meeting the nurse or medical provider that will be administering the chemotherapy
- getting specific health parameters checked, including pulse, blood pressure, breathing, and temperature
- being weighed and measured to ensure that the correct dose is given
- having the iv tube, or catheter, inserted into the arm. alternatively, a port may be used, which is a round metal or plastic disk that is inserted into the body before treatment. the catheter with the drugs is then connected via the port to administer the medication.
the duration of each session will vary from a few minutes to a few hours, with some lasting days or weeks, a process known as continuous infusion chemotherapy. the type and session length will be highly specific to a person’s unique case.
life during chemotherapy
while undergoing chemotherapy, people will likely experience side effects from the drugs because of how strong they are and how they affect the cells in the body. side effects range but can include:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- hair loss
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- fever
- mouth sores
- pain
- constipation
- easy bruising
- bleeding
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there is also a risk of late-developing complications. some long-lasting effects of chemotherapy include:
- lung tissue damage
- heart and kidney problems
- infertility
- nerve damage
- risk of cancer recurrence
it’s essential to cope with the side effects as best you can during this time. some ways to do that include:
- low-impact exercises
- medications to help with nausea and vomiting
- using a cooling cap to minimize hair loss
- chewing ice chips to stay hydrated and combat mouth sores
- avoid infections by washing hands often
- alert your oncologist to any symptoms that could be more severe, such as tingling in the hands or feet
keeping a positive attitude during treatment is also vital for mental health, as receiving a cancer diagnosis and going through such a difficult treatment can weigh heavy on a person’s mind. staying connected with others and engaging in enjoyable activities can also help maintain positivity during the trying time.
adjusting daily life to cope with the new chemotherapy schedule and its effects is also essential. these changes will be personal and can be worked through with an oncologist.
what to expect post-treatment
the journey toward optimal health isn’t over once the chemotherapy sessions have ended. to ensure that a person is doing all they can to help foster healing after chemotherapy, they can:
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- expect and assess side effects: some side effects go away shortly after finishing, while others may last longer. it’s important to be ready for that and speak to your healthcare team about any long-term effects and ways to combat them.
- prepare for follow-ups: after the end of the last chemotherapy session, monitoring will be done to ensure that the treatment did what it was supposed to. some possible tests during the monitoring phase include scans, blood tests, and in-person visits.
- strive to return to normal: while it may be difficult, returning to life as normally as possible is a great way to look forward to the future and remain positive in the wake of finishing cancer treatment. this could involve joining support groups, re-establishing a routine that doesn’t include chemotherapy sessions, and seeing a cancer-centric therapist to work through the emotional side of cancer treatment.
- learn about recurrence reduction techniques: making necessary lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in some cases. some adjustments include improving diet to include whole foods, reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, exercising more, and getting preventative screenings regularly.
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support and resources
it’s essential to take care of the body and the mind following cancer treatment, and enlisting the help of others is a great way to establish a good support routine. some resources available to help get through cancer treatment and its after-effects include:
these organizations have various supports, from information to support groups, all of which are geared toward helping someone deal with a cancer diagnosis, the treatment that follows, and the after-effects left by both.
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