Throat Cancer: Part.7 Chemotherapy for Stage 4 Pharyngeal cancer

What does Chemotherapy mean and how
is it administered.

Chemotherapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can be administered in several ways, including intravenously through a vein in the arm or hand-which is how mine was administered -, orally in the form of pills or capsules, or topically as a cream or lotion.

The drugs used in chemotherapy are designed to target and kill fast-growing cancer cells, but they can also damage healthy cells in the process, leading to side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and low blood cell counts. The treatment is usually given in cycles, with rest periods in between to allow the body to recover. It's important to note that chemotherapy is just one of many treatment options available for cancer, and the best approach depends on the type and stage of the disease

MY Chemotherapy treatment.

Day 1. It was decided by my Treatment Team that I would have 7 intravenous chemotherapy drugs consecutively. One each week for the next 7 weeks to be done at the Greenslopes Hospital (A private hospital) where my Specialist/Scientist worked.

2/ I was to have my chemotherapy drug infused each Monday for 7 weeks(My radiation therapy was also done over the 7 weeks in conjunction each day Monday to Friday.)

3/On arrival at the department there were also other people having treatment in separate cubicles.Dr McGrath greeted my partner and I with a reassuring smile (very comforting) as we were both strung out with worry as we had heard a lot of hearsay about chemotherapy. Worth noting ALL TREATMENTS ARE DIFFERENT! Don't trust HEARSAY ask and be told about YOUR individual treatment.

4./What a difference quality staff makes! The nursing staff settled us down and inserted a canular in my arm and DR.McGrath started the infusion.

I was so happy that the staff was overseeing my treatment and well-being AS WELL AS my wife's well-being talking answering questions and comforting her as well. (I knew she would be fatigued. stressed, and worried about the times ahead.

5/.It took approximately an hour to run through and flush my system. I felt Ok we said our goodbyes and off to another hospital for my first treatment of radiation therapy.