Understanding chemotherapy - Macmillan Cancer

Effects on everyday lifeEffects on everyday lifeEven though chemotherapy treatment can cause unpleasantside effects, some people still manage to lead an almostnormal life during treatment. But this depends on the typeof chemotherapy you’re having.Even if you feel unwell after chemotherapy, you mayrecover quickly and have time to do the things you usuallydo before your next cycle. If the cancer is causing symptoms,your chemotherapy may make you feel better by relieving them.Some people are able to go to work with time off and shorterworking hours (see page 87).Social lifeYou may not be able to do some of the things we usually takefor granted. But, depending on how you feel, there’s no reasonto stop going out or visiting friends if you plan ahead.If you’re going out for the evening, try to rest during the day soyou have more energy at night. If you’re going out for a meal,take anti-sickness tablets – if you need to – before you go.If you have an important social event coming up, ask yourdoctor if your treatment date can be changed so that youfeel as well as possible for the occasion.67