Reaching Milestones After Cancer
- After a brief hiatus to undergo cancer treatment, Heart frontwoman Ann Wilson, 75, is back on stage, performing fan favorites following a successful round of preventative (adjuvant) chemotherapy—treatment given after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. The exact type of cancer Wilson dealt with hasn’t been disclosed.
- Chemotherapy works systemically, circulating through the bloodstream to destroy fast-dividing cancer cells. Unfortunately, it also impacts healthy cells, which leads to challenging side effects.
- Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. Thankfully, there are strategies to manage them: pressure bracelets, breathing techniques for nausea, or cryotherapy to help reduce hair loss during treatment. Your care team can adjust medications or suggest supportive tools tailored to you.
- For expert tips and more resources on managing chemotherapy side effects, explore SurvivorNet’s comprehensive digital guide.
“Today, we celebrate one of rock’s greatest voices: Ann Wilson of Heart. A true vocal titan, Ann’s range, control, and emotional force redefined what it means to lead a rock band. From the wild cry of ‘Barracuda’ to the raw soul of ‘Alone,’ she delivers every note like a storm and a prayer rolled into one,” Lord Rare Rock posted to its 3 million Instagram followers.
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Preventative or adjuvant chemotherapy is often recommended after surgery to wipe out any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. These drugs, typically administered via IV or in pill form, target fast-dividing cells, making them particularly effective against aggressive cancer types.
Thankfully, Ann’s decision paid off. A year later, she’s back in action, touring and receiving birthday shoutouts from fans old and new. “Happy Birthday, Ms. Wilson. You are a true legend. That stairway was the best cover of all time,” wrote one admirer on Instagram.
Helping Patients Cope with Chemotherapy
How to Manage the Grueling Side Effects from Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an effective tool for oncologists to help treat cancer by stopping cancerous cells from growing, dividing, and spreading to other organs. Chemo works by traveling through the bloodstream, killing cancerous cells. However, the process also impacts healthy cells, leading to side effects.
Patients almost universally experience fatigue, often alongside gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea. Doctors have many effective medications to combat chemo-induced nausea. “But mitigating that fatigue often depends on the patient,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
WATCH: What You Think You Know About Chemotherapy Side Effects May Be Wrong
“Neuropathy is probably one of the most challenging side effects,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. Neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves. It usually resolves after chemotherapy treatment, but sometimes symptoms can persist. While it’s typically characterized by numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands and feet, neuropathy can have several different symptoms, including:
- Weakness in the hands or feet
- Stabbing or burning pain in the hands or feet
- Difficulty gripping, such as when holding a fork
- Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy. When chemotherapy affects the rapidly dividing cells in the stomach lining, the resulting cellular havoc in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to side effects such as nausea and vomiting. However, doctors can help patients mitigate the hit with various medications before, during, and after treatment.
“Part of the chemotherapy prescription includes a set regimen of anti-nausea medications,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. “We also ensure that patients have medications at home that they can use should they develop nausea after treatment.”
Hair loss is another side effect of chemotherapy.
WATCH: Coping with hair loss.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment.
This happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body, including cancer cells and hair cells.
Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, it is possible when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.
RELATED: How are chemotherapy side effects managed for ovarian cancer treatment?
Tips for Navigating Chemo Side Effects
Doctors don’t have an arsenal of prescription medications to combat fatigue. However, you can do several things to help minimize the hit and restore your energy.
- Exercise: While it may be counterintuitive, physical activity can help alleviate side effects, especially fatigue. “Although ovarian cancer is not common, we often draw upon the experience of patients with breast cancer and colon cancer that have shown that physical activity can not only improve quality of life but may also have beneficial impacts on cancer outcomes,” Dr. Urban says.
- Eat well: Even though nausea may interfere with your ability to eat a healthy diet, it’s essential to ensure you’re eating appropriately, getting enough protein, and not losing weight. Not only will nourishing your body support your recovery, but it may also help you feel more energized.
- Sleep: Want to mitigate fatigue? Be sure to maintain your regular sleep-wake cycle while on treatment. Sticking to a set sleep schedule helps reduce fatigue by ensuring enough hours for your body to heal and restore itself each night. It may also help you recover more quickly by keeping energy levels high during the daytime.
How to Cope With an Unexpected Diagnosis
Just as Ann Wilson and her bandmates were building momentum for their next tour, everything came to a screeching halt—her unexpected cancer diagnosis forced the group to shift from backstage rehearsals to urgent medical decisions, turning anticipation into a fight for her health
If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.
WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.
If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.
SurvivorNet experts suggest women needing a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
- Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
- Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
- Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
- Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are undergoing chemotherapy and anticipate doing so in the future, you may want to begin conversations with your doctor about how to best manage it. Here are a few questions to help you kickstart your discussion.
- How can I best prepare for chemotherapy to minimize side effects?
- Are there any dietary or lifestyle changes I should make during treatment?
- What symptoms should I watch out for, and when should I contact you if I experience them?
- Are there any medications or supplements that can help manage chemotherapy side effects?
- How often will I need to receive chemotherapy, and how long will the treatment last?
- How will chemotherapy affect my immune system, and what precautions should I take to avoid infections?
- Can you provide resources or referrals to support services, such as counseling or support groups, for coping with the emotional and psychological aspects of chemotherapy?
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