text:
Questions and Answers About Chemotherapy
Tips for Meeting With Your Doctor or Nurse
Your Feelings During Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy Side Effects At-A-Glance
Side Effects and Ways To Manage Them
Foods To Help With Side Effects
Ways To Learn More
For More Information
About This Book
Chemotherapy and You is written for you - someone who is about to receive or is now receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Your family, friends, and others close to you may also want to read this book.
This book is a guide you can refer to throughout your chemotherapy treatment. It includes facts about chemotherapy and its side effects and also highlights ways you can care for yourself before, during, and after treatment.
This book covers:
- Questions and answers about chemotherapy. Answers common questions, such as what chemotherapy is and how it affects cancer cells.
- Side effects and ways to manage them. Explains side effects and other problems that may result from chemotherapy. This section also has ways that you and your doctor or nurse can manage these side effects.
- Tips for meeting with your doctor or nurse. Includes questions for you to think about and discuss with your doctor, nurse, and others involved in your cancer care.
- Ways to learn more. Lists ways to get more information about chemotherapy and other topics discussed in this book - in print, online, and by telephone.
Talk with your doctor or nurse about what you can expect during chemotherapy. He or she may suggest that you read certain sections of this book or try some of the ways to manage side effects.
Product or brand names that appear in this book are for example only. The U.S. Government does not endorse any specific product or brand. If products or brands are not mentioned, it does not mean or imply that they are not satisfactory.
Questions and Answers About Chemotherapy
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy (also called chemo) is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
How does chemotherapy work?
Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. But it can also harm healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those that line your mouth and intestines or cause your hair to grow. Damage to healthy cells may cause side effects. Often, side effects get better or go away after chemotherapy is over.
What does chemotherapy do?
Depending on your type of cancer and how advanced it is, chemotherapy can:
- Cure cancer - when chemotherapy destroys cancer cells to the point that your doctor can no longer detect them in your body and they will not grow back.
- Control cancer - when chemotherapy keeps cancer from spreading, slows its growth, or destroys cancer cells that have spread to other parts of your body.
- Ease cancer symptoms (also called palliative care) - when chemotherapy shrinks tumors that are causing pain or pressure.
How is chemotherapy used?
Sometimes, chemotherapy is used as the only cancer treatment. But more often, you will get chemotherapy along with surgery, radiation therapy, or biological therapy. Chemotherapy can:
- Make a tumor smaller before surgery or radiation therapy. This is called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.
- Destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery or radiation therapy. This is called adjuvant chemotherapy.
- Help radiation therapy and biological therapy work better.
- Destroy cancer cells that have come back (recurrent cancer) or spread to other parts of your body (metastatic cancer).
How does my doctor decide which chemotherapy drugs to use?
This choice depends on:
- The type of cancer you have. Some types of chemotherapy drugs are used for many types of cancer. Other drugs are used for just one or two types of cancer.
- Whether you have had chemotherapy before
- Whether you have other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease
Where do I go for chemotherapy?
You may receive chemotherapy during a hospital stay, at home, or in a doctor's office, clinic, or outpatient unit in a hospital (which means you do not have to stay overnight). No matter where you go for chemotherapy, your doctor and nurse will watch for side effects and make any needed drug changes.
How often will I receive chemotherapy?
Treatment schedules for chemotherapy vary widely. How often and how long you get chemotherapy depends on:
- Your type of cancer and how advanced it is
- The goals of treatment (whether chemotherapy is used to cure your cancer, control its growth, or ease the symptoms)
- The type of chemotherapy
- How your body reacts to chemotherapy
Can I miss a dose of chemotherapy?
It is not good to skip a chemotherapy treatment. But sometimes your doctor or nurse may change your chemotherapy schedule. This can be due to side effects you are having. If this happens, your doctor or nurse will explain what to do and when to start treatment again.
How is chemotherapy given?
Chemotherapy may be given in many ways.
- Injection. The chemotherapy is given by a shot in a muscle in your arm, thigh, or hip or right under the skin in the fatty part of your arm, leg, or belly.
- Intra-arterial (IA). The chemotherapy goes directly into the artery that is feeding the cancer.
- Intraperitoneal (IP). The chemotherapy goes directly into the peritoneal cavity (the area that contains organs such as your intestines, stomach, liver, and ovaries).
- Intravenous (IV). The chemotherapy goes directly into a vein.
- Topically. The chemotherapy comes in a cream that you rub onto your skin.
- Orally. The chemotherapy comes in pills, capsules, or liquids that you swallow.
Things to know about getting chemotherapy through an IV
Chemotherapy is often given through a thin needle that is placed in a vein on your hand or lower arm. Your nurse will put the needle in at the start of each treatment and remove it when treatment is over. Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you feel pain or burning while you are getting IV chemotherapy.
IV chemotherapy is often given through catheters or ports, sometimes with the help of a pump.
- Catheters. A catheter is a soft, thin tube. A surgeon places one end of the catheter in a large vein, often in your chest area. The other end of the catheter stays outside your body. Most catheters stay in place until all your chemotherapy treatments are done. Catheters can also be used for drugs other than chemotherapy and to draw blood. Be sure to watch for signs of infection around your catheter. For more information on infection, see Infection.
- Ports. A port is a small, round disc made of plastic or metal that is placed under your skin. A catheter connects the port to a large vein, most often in your chest. Your nurse can insert a needle into your port to give you chemotherapy or draw blood. This needle can be left in place for chemotherapy treatments that are given for more than 1 day. Be sure to watch for signs of infection around your port. For more information on infection, see Infection.
- Pumps. Pumps are often attached to catheters or ports. They control how much and how fast chemotherapy goes into a catheter or port. Pumps can be internal or external. External pumps remain outside your body. Most people can carry these pumps with them. Internal pumps are placed under your skin during surgery.
How will I feel during chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy affects people in different ways. How you feel depends on how healthy you are before treatment, your type of cancer, how advanced it is, the kind of chemotherapy you are getting, and the dose. Doctors and nurses cannot know for certain how you will feel during chemotherapy.
Some people do not feel well right after chemotherapy. The most common side effect is fatigue, feeling exhausted and worn out. You can prepare for fatigue by:
- Asking someone to drive you to and from chemotherapy
- Planning time to rest on the day of and day after chemotherapy
- Getting help with meals and childcare the day of and at least 1 day after chemotherapy
There are many ways you can help manage chemotherapy side effects. For more information, see the Side Effects At-A-Glance section
Can I work during chemotherapy?
Many people can work during chemotherapy, as long as they match their schedule to how they feel. Whether or not you can work may depend on what kind of work you do. If your job allows, you may want to see if you can work part-time or work from home on days you do not feel well.
Many employers are required by law to change your work schedule to meet your needs during cancer treatment. Talk with your employer about ways to adjust your work during chemotherapy. You can learn more about these laws by talking with a social worker
Can I take over-the-counter and prescription drugs while I get chemotherapy?
This depends on the type of chemotherapy you get and the other types of drugs you plan to take. Take only drugs that are approved by your doctor or nurse. Tell your doctor or nurse about all the over-the-counter and prescription drugs you take, including laxatives, allergy medicines, cold medicines, pain relievers, aspirin, and ibuprofen.
One way to let your doctor or nurse know about these drugs is by bringing in all your pill bottles. Your doctor or nurse needs to know:
- The name of each drug
- The reason you take it
- How much you take
- How often you take it
Can I take vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, or herbs while I get chemotherapy?
Some of these products can change how chemotherapy works. For this reason, it is important to tell your doctor or nurse about all the vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and herbs that you take before you start chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, talk with your doctor before you take any of these products.
How will I know if my chemotherapy is working?
Your doctor will give you physical exams and medical tests (such as blood tests and x-rays). He or she will also ask you how you feel.
You cannot tell if chemotherapy is working based on its side effects. Some people think that severe side effects mean that chemotherapy is working well. Or that no side effects mean that chemotherapy is not working. The truth is that side effects have nothing to do with how well chemotherapy is fighting your cancer.
How much does chemotherapy cost?
It is hard to say how much chemotherapy will cost. It depends on:
- The types and doses of chemotherapy used
- How long and how often chemotherapy is given
- Whether you get chemotherapy at home, in a clinic or office, or during a hospital stay
- The part of the country where you live
Does my health insurance pay for chemotherapy?
Talk with your health insurance plan about what costs it will pay for. Questions to ask include:
- What will my insurance pay for?
- Do I or does the doctor's office need to call my insurance company before each treatment for it to be paid for?
- What do I have to pay for?
- Can I see any doctor I want or do I need to choose from a list of preferred providers?
- Do I need a written referral to see a specialist?
- Is there a co-pay (money I have to pay) each time I have an appointment?
- Is there a deductible (certain amount I need to pay) before my insurance pays?
- Where should I get my prescription drugs?
- Does my insurance pay for all my tests and treatments, whether I am an inpatient or outpatient?
How can I best work with my insurance plan?
- Read your insurance policy before treatment starts to find out what your plan will and will not pay for.
- Keep records of all your treatment costs and insurance claims.
- Send your insurance company all the paperwork it asks for. This may include receipts from doctors' visits, prescriptions, and lab work. Be sure to also keep copies for your own records.
- As needed, ask for help with the insurance paperwork. You can ask a friend, family member, social worker, or local group such as a senior center.
- If your insurance does not pay for something you think it should, find out why the plan refused to pay. Then talk with your doctor or nurse about what to do next. He or she may suggest ways to appeal the decision or other actions to take.
What are clinical trials and are they an option for me?
Cancer clinical trials (also called cancer treatment studies or research studies) test new treatments for people with cancer. These can be studies of new types of chemotherapy, other types of treatment, or new ways to combine treatments. The goal of all these clinical trials is to find better ways to help people with cancer.
Your doctor or nurse may suggest you take part in a clinical trial. You can also suggest the idea. Before you agree to be in a clinical trial, learn about:
- Benefits. All clinical trials offer quality cancer care. Ask how this clinical trial could help you or others. For instance, you may be one of the first people to get a new treatment or drug.
- Risks. New treatments are not always better or even as good as standard treatments. And even if this new treatment is good, it may not work well for you.
- Payment. Your insurance company may or may not pay for treatment that is part of a clinical trial. Before you agree to be in a trial, check with your insurance company to make sure it will pay for this treatment.
Contact the NCI's Cancer Information Service if you are interested in learning more about clinical trials. See Ways To Learn More for ways to contact them.
Tips for Meeting With Your Doctor or Nurse
- Make a list of your questions before each appointment. Some people keep a "running list" and write down new questions as they think of them. Make sure to have space on this list to write down the answers from your doctor or nurse.
- Bring a family member or trusted friend to your medical visits. This person can help you understand what the doctor or nurse says and talk with you about it after the visit is over.
- Ask all your questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. If you do not understand an answer, keep asking until you do.
- Take notes. You can write them down or use a tape recorder. Later, you can review your notes and remember what was said.
- Ask for printed information about your type of cancer and chemotherapy.
- Let your doctor or nurse know how much information you want to know, when you want to learn it, and when you have learned enough. Some people want to learn everything they can about cancer and its treatment. Others only want a little information. The choice is yours.
- Find out how to contact your doctor or nurse in an emergency. This includes who to call and where to go.
Questions To Ask
About My Cancer
- What kind of cancer do I have?
- What is the stage of my cancer?
About Chemotherapy
- Why do I need chemotherapy?
- What is the goal of this chemotherapy?
- What are the benefits of chemotherapy?
- What are the risks of chemotherapy?
- Are there other ways to treat my type of cancer?
- What is the standard care for my type of cancer?
- Are there any clinical trials for my type of cancer?
About My Treatment
- How many cycles of chemotherapy will I get? How long is each treatment? How long between treatments?
- What types of chemotherapy will I get?
- How will these drugs be given?
- Where do I go for this treatment?
- How long does each treatment last?
- Should someone drive me to and from treatments?
About Side Effects
- What side effects can I expect right away?
- What side effects can I expect later?
- How serious are these side effects?
- How long will these side effects last?
- Will all the side effects go away when treatment is over?
- What can I do to manage or ease these side effects?
- What can my doctor or nurse do to manage or ease these side effects?
- When should I call my doctor or nurse about these side effects?
Your Feelings During Chemotherapy
At some point during chemotherapy, you may feel:
- Anxious
- Depressed
- Afraid
- Angry
- Frustrated
- Helpless
- Lonely
It is normal to have a wide range of feelings while going through chemotherapy. After all, living with cancer and getting treatment can be stressful. You may also feel fatigue, which can make it harder to cope with your feelings.
How can I cope with my feelings during chemotherapy?
- Relax. Find some quiet time and think of yourself in a favorite place. Breathe slowly or listen to soothing music. This may help you feel calmer and less stressed.
- Exercise. Many people find that light exercise helps them feel better. There are many ways for you to exercise, such as walking, riding a bike, and doing yoga. Talk with your doctor or nurse about ways you can exercise.
- Talk with others. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust. Choose someone who can focus on you, such as a close friend, family member, chaplain, nurse, or social worker. You may also find it helpful to talk with someone else who is getting chemotherapy.
- Join a support group. Cancer support groups provide support for people with cancer. These groups allow you to meet others with the same problems. You will have a chance to talk about your feelings and listen to other people talk about theirs. You can find out how others cope with cancer, chemotherapy, and side effects. Your doctor, nurse, or social worker may know about support groups near where you live. Some support groups also meet online (over the Internet), which can be helpful if you cannot travel.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about things that worry or upset you. You may want to ask about seeing a counselor. Your doctor may also suggest that you take medication if you find it very hard to cope with your feelings.
Ways to Learn More
To learn more about coping with your feelings and relationships during cancer treatment, read Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer, a book from the National Cancer Institute. You can get a free copy at https://pubs.cancer.gov/ncipl or 1-800-4-CANCER.
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
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CancerCare, Inc.
Offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones.
The Wellness Community
Provides free psychological and emotional support to people with cancer and their families.
Chemotherapy Side Effects
What are side effects?
Side effects are problems caused by cancer treatment. Some common side effects from chemotherapy are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, mouth sores, and pain.
What causes side effects?
Chemotherapy is designed to kill fast-growing cancer cells. But it can also affect healthy cells that grow quickly. These include cells that line your mouth and intestines, cells in your bone marrow that make blood cells, and cells that make your hair grow. Chemotherapy causes side effects when it harms these healthy cells.
Will I get side effects from chemotherapy?
You may have a lot of side effects, some, or none at all. This depends on the type and amount of chemotherapy you get and how your body reacts. Before you start chemotherapy, talk with your doctor or nurse about which side effects to expect.
How long do side effects last?
How long side effects last depends on your health and the kind of chemotherapy you get. Most side effects go away after chemotherapy is over. But sometimes it can take months or even years for them to go away.
Sometimes, chemotherapy causes long-term side effects that do not go away. These may include damage to your heart, lungs, nerves, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Some types of chemotherapy may cause a second cancer years later. Ask your doctor or nurse about your chance of having long-term side effects.
What can be done about side effects?
Doctors have many ways to prevent or treat chemotherapy side effects and help you heal after each treatment session. Talk with your doctor or nurse about which ones to expect and what to do about them. Make sure to let your doctor or nurse know about any changes you notice - they may be signs of a side effect.
The chart called Chemotherapy Side Effects At-A-Glance lists possible side effects and links to more information about each one.
Chemotherapy Side Effects At-A-Glance
Below is a list of side effects that chemotherapy may cause. Not everyone gets every side effect. Which ones you have will depend on the type and dose of your chemotherapy and whether you have other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Talk with your doctor or nurse about the side effects on this list. Ask which ones may affect you and click on the link to learn more.
Names of the chemotherapy that I am getting:
Side Effects and Ways To Manage Them
What it is and why it occurs
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Anemia is when you have too few red blood cells to carry the oxygen your body needs. Your heart works harder when your body does not get enough oxygen. This can make it feel like your heart is pounding or beating very fast. Anemia can also make you feel short of breath, weak, dizzy, faint, or very tired.
Some types of chemotherapy cause anemia because they make it harder for bone marrow to produce new red blood cells.
Ways to manage
- Get plenty of rest. Try to sleep at least 8 hours each night. You might also want to take 1 to 2 short naps (1 hour or less) during the day.
- Limit your activities. This means doing only the activities that are most important to you. For example, you might go to work but not clean the house. Or you might order take-out food instead of cooking dinner.
- Accept help. When your family or friends offer to help, let them. They can help care for your children, pick up groceries, run errands, drive you to doctor's visits, or do other chores you feel too tired to do.
- Eat a well-balanced diet. Choose a diet that contains all the calories and protein your body needs. Calories will help keep your weight up, and extra protein can help repair tissues that have been harmed by cancer treatment. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or dietitian about the diet that is right for you. (To learn more, see Appetite Changes.)
- Stand up slowly. You may feel dizzy if you stand up too fast.
Your doctor or nurse will check your blood cell count throughout your chemotherapy. You may need a blood transfusion if your red blood cell count falls too low. Your doctor may also prescribe a medicine to boost (speed up) the growth of red blood cells or suggest that you take iron or other vitamins.
- Your level of fatigue changes or you are not able to do your usual activities
- You feel dizzy or like you are going to faint
- You feel short of breath
- It feels like your heart is pounding or beating very fast
Appetite Changes
What they are and why they occur
Chemotherapy can cause appetite changes. You may lose your appetite because of nausea (feeling like you are going to throw up), mouth and throat problems that make it painful to eat, or drugs that cause you to lose your taste for food. They can also come from feeling depressed or tired. Appetite loss may last for a day, a few weeks, or even months.
It is important to eat well, even when you have no appetite. This means eating and drinking foods that have plenty of protein, vitamins, and calories. Eating well helps your body fight infection and repair tissues that are damaged by chemotherapy. Not eating well can lead to weight loss, weakness, and fatigue.
Some cancer treatments cause weight gain or an increase in your appetite. Be sure to ask your doctor, nurse, or dietitian what types of appetite changes you might expect and how to manage them.
Ways to manage
- Eat 5 to 6 small meals or snacks each day instead of 3 big meals. Choose foods and drinks that are high in calories and protein. See Foods and Drinks That Are High in Calories or Protein for a list of these foods.
- Set a daily schedule for eating your meals and snacks. Eat when it is time to eat, rather than when you feel hungry. You may not feel hungry while you are on chemotherapy, but you still need to eat.
- Drink milkshakes, smoothies, juice, or soup if you do not feel like eating solid foods. Liquids like these can help provide the protein, vitamins, and calories your body needs. See Liquid Foods for a list of liquid foods.
- Use plastic forks and spoons. Some types of chemo give you a metal taste in your mouth. Eating with plastic can help decrease the metal taste. Cooking in glass pots and pans can also help.
- Increase your appetite by doing something active. For instance, you might have more of an appetite if you take a short walk before lunch. Also, be careful not to decrease your appetite by drinking too much liquid before or during meals.
- Change your routine. This may mean eating in a different place, such as the dining room rather than the kitchen. It can also mean eating with other people instead of eating alone. If you eat alone, you may want to listen to the radio or watch TV. You may also want to vary your diet by trying new foods and recipes.
- Talk with your doctor, nurse, or dietitian. He or she may want you to take extra vitamins or nutrition supplements (such as high protein drinks). If you cannot eat for a long time and are losing weight, you may need to take drugs that increase your appetite or receive nutrition through an IV or feeding tube.
What it is and why it occurs
Platelets are cells that make your blood clot when you bleed. Chemotherapy can lower the number of platelets because it affects your bone marrow's ability to make them. A low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. This condition may cause bruises (even when you have not been hit or have not bumped into anything), bleeding from your nose or in your mouth, or a rash of tiny, red dots.
Ways to manage
- Brush your teeth with a very soft toothbrush
- Soften the bristles of your toothbrush by running hot water over them before you brush
- Blow your nose gently
- Be careful when using scissors, knives, or other sharp objects
- Use an electric shaver instead of a razor
- Apply gentle but firm pressure to any cuts you get until the bleeding stops
- Wear shoes all the time, even inside the house or hospital
Do not:
- Use dental floss or toothpicks
- Play sports or do other activities during which you could get hurt
- Use tampons, enemas, suppositories, or rectal thermometers
- Wear clothes with tight collars, wrists, or waistbands
Check with your doctor or nurse before:
- Drinking beer, wine, or other types of alcohol
- Having sex
- Taking vitamins, herbs, minerals, dietary supplements, aspirin, or other over-the-counter medicines. Some of these products can change how chemotherapy works.
Let your doctor know if you are constipated.
He or she may prescribe a stool softener to prevent straining and rectal bleeding when you go to the bathroom. For more information, see the section on Constipation.
Your doctor or nurse will check your platelet count often.
You may need medication, a platelet transfusion, or a delay in your chemotherapy treatment if your platelet count is too low.
- Bruises, especially if you did not bump into anything
- Small, red spots on your skin
- Red- or pink-colored urine
- Black or bloody bowel movements
- Bleeding from your gums or nose
- Heavy bleeding during your menstrual period or a prolonged period
- Vaginal bleeding not caused by your period
- Headaches or changes in your vision
- A warm or hot feeling in your arm or leg
- Feeling very sleepy or confused
What it is and why it occurs
Constipation is when bowel movements become less frequent and stools are hard, dry, and difficult to pass. You may have painful bowel movements and feel bloated or nauseous. You may belch, pass a lot of gas, and have stomach cramps or pressure in the rectum.
Drugs such as chemotherapy and pain medicine can cause constipation. It can also happen when people are not active and spend a lot of time sitting or lying down. Constipation can also be due to eating foods that are low in fiber or not drinking enough fluids.
Ways to manage
- Keep a record of your bowel movements. Show this record to your doctor or nurse and talk about what is normal for you. This makes it easier to figure out whether you have constipation.
- Drink at least 8 cups of water or other fluids each day. Many people find that drinking warm or hot fluids, such as coffee and tea, helps with constipation. Fruit juices, such as prune juice, may also be helpful.
- Be active every day. You can be active by walking, riding a bike, or doing yoga. If you cannot walk, ask about exercises that you can do in a chair or bed. Talk with your doctor or nurse about ways you can be more active.
- Ask your doctor, nurse, or dietitian about foods that are high in fiber. Eating highfiber foods and drinking lots of fluids can help soften your stools. Good sources of fiber include whole-grain breads and cereals, dried beans and peas, raw vegetables, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and popcorn. (To learn more, see the list of High-Fiber Foods.)
- Let your doctor or nurse know if you have not had a bowel movement in 2 days. Your doctor may suggest a fiber supplement, laxative, stool softener, or enema. Do not use these treatments without first checking with your doctor or nurse.
What it is and why it occurs
Diarrhea is frequent bowel movements that may be soft, loose, or watery. Chemotherapy can cause diarrhea because it harms healthy cells that line your large and small bowel. It may also speed up your bowels. Diarrhea can also be caused by infections or drugs used to treat constipation.
Ways to manage
- Eat 5 or 6 small meals and snacks each day instead of 3 large meals.
- Ask your doctor or nurse about foods that are high in salts such as sodium and potassium. Your body can lose these salts when you have diarrhea, and it is important to replace them. Foods that are high in sodium or potassium include bananas, oranges, peach and apricot nectar, and boiled or mashed potatoes.
- Drink 8 to 12 cups of clear liquids each day. These include water, clear broth, ginger ale, or sports drinks such as Gatorade® or Propel®. Drink slowly, and choose drinks that are at room temperature. Let carbonated drinks lose their fizz before you drink them. Add extra water if drinks make you thirsty or nauseous (feeling like you are going to throw up).
- Eat low-fiber foods. Foods that are high in fiber can make diarrhea worse. Low-fiber foods include bananas, white rice, white toast, and plain or vanilla yogurt. See the section on Low-Fiber Foods for other ideas.
- Let your doctor or nurse know if your diarrhea lasts for more than 24 hours or if you have pain and cramping along with diarrhea. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine to control the diarrhea. You may also need IV fluids to replace the water and nutrients you lost. Do not take any medicine for diarrhea without first asking your doctor or nurse.
- Be gentle when you wipe yourself after a bowel movement. Instead of toilet paper, use a baby wipe or squirt of water from a spray bottle to clean yourself after bowel movements. Let your doctor or nurse know if your rectal area is sore or bleeds or if you have hemorrhoids.
- Ask your doctor if you should try a clear liquid diet. This can give your bowels time to rest. Most people stay on this type of diet for 5 days or less. See Liquid Foods for a list of clear liquids.
Stay away from:
- Drinks that are very hot or very cold
- Beer, wine, and other types of alcohol
- Milk or milk products, such as ice cream, milkshakes, sour cream, and cheese
- Spicy foods, such as hot sauce, salsa, chili, and curry dishes
- Greasy and fried foods, such as french fries and hamburgers
- Foods or drinks with caffeine, such as regular coffee, black tea, cola, and chocolate
- Foods or drinks that cause gas, such as cooked dried beans, cabbage, broccoli, and soy milk and other soy products
- Foods that are high in fiber, such as cooked dried beans, raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole-wheat breads and cereals
What it is and why it occurs
Fatigue from chemotherapy can range from a mild to extreme feeling of being tired. Many people describe fatigue as feeling weak, weary, worn out, heavy, or slow. Resting does not always help.
Many people say they feel fatigue during chemotherapy and even for weeks or months after treatment is over. Fatigue can be caused by the type of chemotherapy, the effort of making frequent visits to the doctor, or feelings such as stress, anxiety, and depression. If you receive radiation therapy along with chemotherapy, your fatigue may be more severe.
Fatigue can also be caused by:
- Anemia
- Pain
- Medications
- Appetite changes
- Trouble sleeping
- Lack of activity
- Trouble breathing
- Infection
- Doing too much at one time
- Other medical problems
Fatigue can happen all at once or little by little. People feel fatigue in different ways. You may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who gets the same type of chemotherapy.
Ways to manage
- Relax. You might want to try meditation, prayer, yoga, guided imagery, visualization, or other ways to relax and decrease stress.
- Eat and drink well. Often, this means 5 to 6 small meals and snacks rather than 3 large meals. Keep foods around that are easy to fix, such as canned soups, frozen meals, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Drink plenty of fluids each day--about 8 cups of water or juice.
- Plan time to rest. You may feel better when you rest or take a short nap during the day. Many people say that it helps to rest for just 10 to 15 minutes rather than nap for a long time. If you nap, try to sleep for less than 1 hour. Keeping naps short will help you sleep better at night.
- Be active. Research shows that exercise can ease fatigue and help you sleep better at night. Try going for a 15-minute walk, doing yoga, or riding an exercise bike. Plan to be active when you have the most energy. Talk with your doctor or nurse about ways you can be active while getting chemotherapy.
- Try not to do too much. With fatigue, you may not have enough energy to do all the things you want to do. Choose the activities you want to do and let someone else help with the others. Try quiet activities, such as reading, knitting, or learning a new language on tape.
- Sleep at least 8 hours each night. This may be more sleep than you needed before chemotherapy. You are likely to sleep better at night when you are active during the day. You may also find it helpful to relax before going to bed. For instance, you might read a book, work on a jigsaw puzzle, listen to music, or do other quiet hobbies.
- Let others help. Ask family members and friends to help when you feel fatigue. Perhaps they can help with household chores or drive you to and from doctor's visits. They might also help by shopping for food and cooking meals for you to eat now or freeze for later.
- Learn from others who have cancer. People who have cancer can help by sharing ways that they manage fatigue. One way to meet others is by joining a support group--either in person or online. Talk with your doctor or nurse to learn more.
- Keep a diary of how you feel each day. This will help you plan how to best use your time. Share your diary with your nurse. Let your doctor or nurse know if you notice changes in your energy level, whether you have lots of energy or are very tired.
- Talk with your doctor or nurse. Your doctor may prescribe medication that can help decrease fatigue, give you a sense of well-being, and increase your appetite. He or she may also suggest treatment if your fatigue is from anemia. (To learn more, see Anemia.)
Hair Loss
What it is and why it occurs
Hair loss (also called alopecia) is when some or all of your hair falls out. This can happen anywhere on your body: your head, face, arms, legs, underarms, or the pubic area between your legs. Many people are upset by the loss of their hair and find it the most difficult part of chemotherapy.
Some types of chemotherapy damage the cells that cause hair growth. Hair loss often starts 2 to 3 weeks after chemotherapy begins. Your scalp may hurt at first. Then you may lose your hair, either a little at a time or in clumps. It takes about 1 week for all your hair to fall out. Almost always, your hair will grow back 2 to 3 months after chemotherapy is over. You may notice that your hair starts growing back even while you are getting chemotherapy.
Your hair will be very fine when it starts growing back. Also, your new hair may not look or feel the same as it did before. For instance, your hair may be thin instead of thick, curly instead of straight, and darker or lighter in color.
Ways to manage
Before hair loss:
- Talk with your doctor or nurse. He or she will know if you are likely to have hair loss.
- Cut your hair short or shave your head. You might feel more in control of hair loss if you first cut your hair or shave your head. This often makes hair loss easier to manage. If you shave your head, use an electric shaver instead of a razor.
- If you plan to buy a wig, do so while you still have hair. The best time to choose your wig is before chemotherapy starts. This way, you can match the wig to the color and style of your hair. You might also take it to your hair dresser who can style the wig to look like your own hair. Make sure to choose a wig that feels comfortable and does not hurt your scalp.
- Ask if your insurance company will pay for a wig. If it will not, you can deduct the cost of your wig as a medical expense on your income tax. Some groups also have free "wig banks." Your doctor, nurse, or social worker will know if there is a wig bank near you.
- Be gentle when you wash your hair. Use a mild shampoo, such as a baby shampoo. Dry your hair by patting (not rubbing) it with a soft towel.
- Do not use items that can hurt your scalp. These include:
- Straightening or curling irons
- Brush rollers or curlers
- Electric hair dryers
- Hair bands and clips
- Hairsprays
- Hair dyes
- Products to perm or relax your hair
After hair loss:
- Protect your scalp. Your scalp may hurt during and after hair loss. Protect it by wearing a hat, turban, or scarf when you are outside. Try to avoid places that are very hot or very cold. This includes tanning beds and outside in the sun or cold air. And always apply sunscreen or sunblock to protect your scalp.
- Stay warm. You may feel colder once you lose your hair. Wear a hat, turban, scarf, or wig to help you stay warm.
- Sleep on a satin pillow case. Satin creates less friction than cotton when you sleep on it. Therefore, you may find satin pillow cases more comfortable.
- Talk about your feelings. Many people feel angry, depressed, or embarrassed about hair loss. If you are very worried or upset, you might want to talk about these feelings with a doctor, nurse, family member, close friend, or someone who has had hair loss caused by cancer treatment.
What it is and why it occurs
Some types of chemotherapy make it harder for your bone marrow to produce new white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection. Therefore, it is important to avoid infections, since chemotherapy decreases the number of your white blood cells.
There are many types of white blood cells. One type is called neutrophil. When your neutrophil count is low, it is called neutropenia. Your doctor or nurse may do blood tests to find out whether you have neutropenia.
It is important to watch for signs of infection when you have neutropenia. Check for fever at least once a day, or as often as your doctor or nurse tells you to. You may find it best to use a digital thermometer. Call your doctor or nurse if your temperature is 100.5°F or higher.
Ways to manage
- Your doctor or nurse will check your white blood cell count throughout your treatment. If chemotherapy is likely to make your white blood cell count very low, you may get medicine to raise your white blood cell count and lower your risk of infection.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Be sure to wash your hands before cooking and eating, and after you use the bathroom, blow your nose, cough, sneeze, or touch animals. Carry hand sanitizer for times when you are not near soap and water.
- Use sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces and items that you touch. This includes public telephones, ATM machines, doorknobs, and other common items.
- Be gentle and thorough when you wipe yourself after a bowel movement. Instead of toilet paper, use a baby wipe or squirt of water from a spray bottle to clean yourself. Let your doctor or nurse know if your rectal area is sore or bleeds or if you have hemorrhoids.
- Stay away from people who are sick. This includes people with colds, flu, measles, or chicken pox. You also need to stay away from children who just had a "live virus" vaccine for chicken pox or polio. Call your doctor, nurse, or local health department if you have any questions.
- Stay away from crowds. Try not to be around a lot of people. For instance, plan to go shopping or to the movies when the stores and theaters are less crowded.
- Watch for signs of infection around your catheter. Signs include drainage, redness, swelling, or soreness. Let your doctor or nurse know about any changes you notice near your catheter.
- Maintain good mouth care. Brush your teeth after meals and before you go to bed. Use a very soft toothbrush. You can make the bristles even softer by running hot water over them just before you brush. Use a mouth rinse that does not contain alcohol. Check with your doctor or nurse before going to the dentist. (For more about taking care of your mouth, see Mouth and Throat Changes.)
- Take good care of your skin. Do not squeeze or scratch pimples. Use lotion to soften and heal dry, cracked skin. Dry yourself after a bath or shower by gently patting (not rubbing) your skin. (For more information about taking care of your skin, see Skin and Nail Changes.)
- Clean cuts right away. Use warm water, soap, and an antiseptic to clean your cuts. Do this every day until your cut has a scab over it.
- Be careful around animals. Do not clean your cat's litter box, pick up dog waste, or clean bird cages or fish tanks. Be sure to wash your hands after touching pets and other animals.
- Do not get a flu shot or other type of vaccine without first asking your doctor or nurse. Some vaccines contain a live virus, which you should not be exposed to.
- Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Do not leave leftovers sitting out. Put them in the refrigerator as soon as you are done eating.
- Wash raw vegetables and fruits well before eating them.
- Do not eat raw or undercooked fish, seafood, meat, chicken, or eggs. These may have bacteria that can cause infection.
- Do not have food or drinks that are moldy, spoiled, or past the freshness date.
- Call your doctor right away (even on the weekend or in the middle of the night) if you think you have an infection. Be sure you know how to reach your doctor after office hours and on weekends. Call if you have a fever of 100.5°F or higher, or when you have chills or sweats. Do not take aspirin, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®), ibuprofen products, or any other drugs that reduce fever without first talking with your doctor or nurse. Other signs of infection include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Rash
- Chills
- Cough
- Earache
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Painful or frequent need to urinate
- Sinus pain or pressure
What it is and why it occurs
Some types of chemotherapy can cause infertility. For a woman, this means that you may not be able to get pregnant. For a man, this means you may not be able to get a woman pregnant.
In women, chemotherapy may damage the ovaries. This damage can lower the number of healthy eggs in the ovaries. It can also lower the hormones produced by them. The drop in hormones can lead to early menopause. Early menopause and fewer healthy eggs can cause infertility.
In men, chemotherapy may damage sperm cells, which grow and divide quickly. Infertility may occur because chemotherapy can lower the number of sperm, make sperm less able to move, or cause other types of damage.
Whether or not you become infertile depends on the type of chemotherapy you get, your age, and whether you have other health problems. Infertility can last the rest of your life.
Ways to manage
For WOMEN, talk with your doctor or nurse about:
- Whether you want to have children. Before you start chemotherapy, let your doctor or nurse know if you might want to get pregnant in the future. He or she may talk with you about ways to preserve your eggs to use after treatment ends or refer you to a fertility specialist.
- Birth control. It is very important that you do not get pregnant while getting chemotherapy. These drugs can hurt the fetus, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy. If you have not yet gone through menopause, talk with your doctor or nurse about birth control and ways to keep from getting pregnant.
- Pregnancy. If you still have menstrual periods, your doctor or nurse may ask you to have a pregnancy test before you start chemotherapy. If you are pregnant, your doctor or nurse will talk with you about other treatment options.
For MEN, talk with your doctor or nurse about:
- Whether you want to have children. Before you start chemotherapy, let your doctor or nurse know if you might want to father children in the future. He or she may talk with you about ways to preserve your sperm to use in the future or refer you to a fertility specialist.
- Birth control. It is very important that your spouse or partner not get pregnant while you are getting chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can damage your sperm and cause birth defects.
Mouth and Throat Changes
What they are and why they occur
Some types of chemotherapy harm fast-growing cells, such as those that line your mouth, throat, and lips. This can affect your teeth, gums, the lining of your mouth, and the glands that make saliva. Most mouth problems go away a few days after chemotherapy is over.
Mouth and throat problems may include:
- Dry mouth (having little or no saliva)
- Changes in taste and smell (such as when food tastes like metal or chalk, has no taste, or does not taste or smell like it used to)
- Infections of your gums, teeth, or tongue
- Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Mouth sores
- Trouble eating when your mouth gets very sore
Ways to manage
- Visit a dentist at least 2 weeks before starting chemotherapy. It is important to have your mouth as healthy as possible. This means getting all your dental work done before chemotherapy starts. If you cannot go to the dentist before chemotherapy starts, ask your doctor or nurse when it is safe to go. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have cancer and about your treatment plan.
- Check your mouth and tongue every day. This way, you can see or feel problems (such as mouth sores, white spots, or infections) as soon as they start. Inform your doctor or nurse about these problems right away.
- Keep your mouth moist. You can keep your mouth moist by sipping water throughout the day, sucking on ice chips or sugar-free hard candy, or chewing sugar-free gum. Ask your doctor or nurse about saliva substitutes if your mouth is always dry.
- Clean your mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue.
- Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue after each meal and at bedtime.
- Use an extra-soft toothbrush. You can make the bristles even softer by rinsing your toothbrush in hot water before you brush.
- If brushing is painful, try cleaning your teeth with cotton swabs or Toothettes®.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste or special fluoride gel that your dentist prescribes.
- Do not use mouthwash that has alcohol. Instead, rinse your mouth 3 to 4 times a day with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt in 1 cup of warm water. Follow this with a plain water rinse.
- Gently floss your teeth every day. If your gums bleed or hurt, avoid those areas but floss your other teeth. Ask your doctor or nurse about flossing if your platelet count is low. (See the section called "Bleeding" for more information on platelets.)
- If you wear dentures, make sure they fit well and keep them clean. Also, limit the length of time that you wear them.
- Be careful what you eat when your mouth is sore.
- Choose foods that are moist, soft, and easy to chew or swallow. These include cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs.
- Use a blender to puree cooked foods so that they are easier to eat. To help avoid infection, be sure to wash all blender parts before and after using them. If possible, it is best to wash them in a dishwasher.
- Take small bites of food, chew slowly, and sip liquids while you eat.
- Soften food with gravy, sauces, broth, yogurt, or other liquids.
- Eat foods that are cool or at room temperature. You may find that warm and hot foods hurt your mouth or throat.
- Suck on ice chips or popsicles. These can relieve mouth pain.
- Ask your dietitian for ideas of foods that are easy to eat. For ideas of soft foods that are easy on a sore mouth, see the section Foods That Are Easy on a Sore Mouth.
- Stay away from things that can hurt, scrape, or burn your mouth, such as:
- Sharp or crunchy foods, such as crackers and potato or corn chips
- Spicy foods, such as hot sauce, curry dishes, salsa, and chili
- Citrus fruits or juices such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit
- Food and drinks that have a lot of sugar, such as candy or soda
- Beer, wine, and other types of alcohol
- Toothpicks or other sharp objects
- Tobacco products, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
Nausea and Vomiting
What they are and why they occur
Some types of chemotherapy can cause nausea, vomiting, or both. Nausea is when you feel sick to your stomach, like you are going to throw up. Vomiting is when you throw up. You may also have dry heaves, which is when your body tries to vomit even though your stomach is empty.
Nausea and vomiting can occur while you are getting chemotherapy, right after, or many hours or days later. You will most likely feel better on the days you do not get chemotherapy.
New drugs can help prevent nausea and vomiting. These are called antiemetic or antinausea drugs. You may need to take these drugs 1 hour before each chemotherapy treatment and for a few days after. How long you take them after chemotherapy will depend on the type of chemotherapy you are getting and how you react to it. If one antinausea drug does not work well for you, your doctor can prescribe a different one. You may need to take more than one type of drug to help with nausea. Acupuncture may also help. Talk with your doctor or nurse about treatments to control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
Ways to manage
- Prevent nausea. One way to prevent vomiting is to prevent nausea. Try having bland, easy-to-digest foods and drinks that do not upset your stomach. These include plain crackers, toast, and gelatin. To learn more, see the list of foods and drinks that are easy on the stomach.
- Plan when it's best for you to eat and drink. Some people feel better when they eat a light meal or snack before chemotherapy. Others feel better when they have chemotherapy on an empty stomach (nothing to eat or drink for 2 to 3 hours before treatment). After treatment, wait at least 1 hour before you eat or drink.
- Eat small meals and snacks. Instead of 3 large meals each day, you might feel better if you eat 5 or 6 small meals and snacks. Do not drink a lot before or during meals. Also, do not lie down right after you eat.
- Have foods and drinks that are warm or cool (not hot or cold). Give hot foods and drinks time to cool down, or make them colder by adding ice. You can warm up cold foods by taking them out of the refrigerator 1 hour before you eat or warming them slightly in a microwave. Drink cola or ginger ale that is warm and has lost its fizz.
- Stay away from foods and drinks with strong smells. These include coffee, fish, onions, garlic, and foods that are cooking.
- Suck on sugar-free mints or tart candies. But do not use tart candies if you have mouth or throat sores.
- Relax before treatment. You may feel less nausea if you relax before each chemotherapy treatment. Meditate, do deep breathing exercises, or imagine scenes or experiences that make you feel peaceful. You can also do quiet hobbies such as reading, listening to music, or knitting.
- When you feel like vomiting, breathe deeply and slowly or get fresh air. You might also distract yourself by chatting with friends or family, listening to music, or watching a movie or TV.
- Talk with your doctor or nurse. Your doctor can give you drugs to help prevent nausea during and after chemotherapy. Be sure to take these drugs as ordered and let your doctor or nurse know if they do not work. You might also ask your doctor or nurse about acupuncture, which can help relieve nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you vomit for more than 1 day or right after you drink.
Nervous System Changes
What they are and why they occur
Chemotherapy can cause damage to your nervous system. Many nervous system problems get better within a year of when you finish chemotherapy, but some may last the rest of your life. Symptoms may include:
- Tingling, burning, weakness, or numbness in your hands or feet
- Feeling colder than normal
- Pain when walking
- Weak, sore, tired, or achy muscles
- Being clumsy and losing your balance
- Trouble picking up objects or buttoning your clothes
- Shaking or trembling
- Hearing loss
- Stomach pain, such as constipation or heartburn
- Fatigue
- Confusion and memory problems
- Dizziness
- Depression
Ways to manage
- Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you notice any nervous system changes. It is important to treat these problems as soon as possible.
- Be careful when handling knives, scissors, and other sharp or dangerous objects.
- Avoid falling. Walk slowly, hold onto handrails when using the stairs, and put no-slip bath mats in your bathtub or shower.Make sure there are no area rugs or cords to trip over.
- Always wear sneakers, tennis shoes, or other footwear with rubber soles.
- Check the temperature of your bath water with a thermometer. This will keep you from getting burned by water that is too hot.
- Be extra careful to avoid burning or cutting yourself while cooking.
- Wear gloves when working in the garden, cooking, or washing dishes.
- Rest when you need to.
- Steady yourself when you walk by using a cane or other device.
- Talk to your doctor or nurse if you notice memory problems, feel confused, or are depressed.
- Ask your doctor for pain medicine if you need it.
What it is and why it occurs
Some types of chemotherapy cause painful side effects. These include burning, numbness, and tingling or shooting pains in your hands and feet. Mouth sores, headaches, muscle pains, and stomach pains can also occur.
Pain can be caused by the cancer itself or by chemotherapy. Doctors and nurses have ways to decrease or relieve your pain.
Ways to manage
- Talk about your pain with a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Be specific and describe:
- Where you feel pain. Is it in one part of your body or all over?
- What the pain feels like. Is it sharp, dull, or throbbing? Does it come and go, or is it steady?
- How strong the pain is. Describe it on a scale of 0 to 10.
- What makes the pain better or worse. For instance, does an ice pack help? Or does the pain get worse if you move a certain way?
- Which medicines you take for pain. Do they help? How long do they last? How much do you take? How often?
- Let your family and friends know about your pain. They need to know about your pain so they can help you. If you are very tired or in a lot of pain, they can call your doctor or nurse for you. Knowing about your pain can also help them understand why you may be acting differently.
- Practice pain control
- Take your pain medicine on a regular schedule (by the clock) even when you are not in pain. This is very important when you have pain most of the time.
- Do not skip doses of your pain medicine. Pain is harder to control and manage if you wait until you are in a lot of pain before taking medicine.
- Try deep breathing, yoga, or other ways to relax. This can help reduce muscle tension, anxiety, and pain.
- Ask to meet with a pain or palliative care specialist. This can be an oncologist, anesthesiologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, nurse, or pharmacist who will talk with you about ways to control your pain.
- Let your doctor, nurse, or pain specialist know if your pain changes. Your pain can change over the course of your treatment. When this happens, your pain medications may need to be changed.
Sexual Changes
What they are and why they occur
Some types of chemotherapy can cause sexual changes. These changes are different for women and men.
In women, chemotherapy may damage the ovaries, which can cause changes in hormone levels. Hormone changes can lead to problems like vaginal dryness and early menopause.
In men, chemotherapy can cause changes in hormone levels, decreased blood supply to the penis, or damage to the nerves that control the penis, all of which can lead to impotence.
Whether or not you have sexual changes during chemotherapy depends on if you have had these problems before, the type of chemotherapy you are getting, your age, and whether you have any other illnesses. Some problems, such as loss of interest in sex, are likely to improve once chemotherapy is over.
Problems for WOMEN include:
- Symptoms of menopause (for women not yet in menopause). These symptoms include:
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Feeling irritable
- Irregular or no menstrual periods
- Bladder or vaginal infections
- Vaginal discharge or itching
- Being too tired to have sex or not being interested in having sex
- Feeling too worried, stressed, or depressed to have sex
Problems for MEN include:
- Not being able to reach climax
- Impotence (not being able to get or keep an erection)
- Being too tired to have sex or not being interested in having sex
- Feeling too worried, stressed, or depressed to have sex
Ways to manage
For WOMEN:
- Talk with your doctor or nurse about:
- Sex. Ask your doctor or nurse if it is okay for you to have sex during chemotherapy. Most women can have sex, but it is a good idea to ask.
- Birth control. It is very important that you not get pregnant while having chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may hurt the fetus, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy. If you have not yet gone through menopause, talk with your doctor or nurse about birth control and ways to keep from getting pregnant.
- Medications. Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about medications that help with sexual problems. These include products to relieve vaginal dryness or a vaginal cream or suppository to reduce the chance of infection.
- Do not wear tight pants or shorts.
- Use a water-based vaginal lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly® or Astroglide®) when you have sex.
- If sex is still painful because of dryness, ask your doctor or nurse about medications to help restore moisture in your vagina.
- Cope with hot flashes by:
- Dressing in layers, with an extra sweater or jacket that you can take off.
- Being active. This includes walking, riding a bike, or other types of exercise.
- Reducing stress. Try yoga, meditation, or other ways to relax.
For MEN:
- Talk with your doctor or nurse about:
- Sex. Ask your doctor or nurse if it is okay for you to have sex during chemotherapy. Most men can have sex, but it is a good idea to ask. Also, ask if you should use a condom when you have sex, since traces of chemotherapy may be in your semen..
- Birth control. It is very important that your spouse or partner not get pregnant while you are getting chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can damage your sperm and cause birth defects.
For MEN and WOMEN:
- Be open and honest with your spouse or partner. Talk about your feelings and concerns.
- Explore new ways to show love. You and your spouse or partner may want to show your love for each other in new ways while you go through chemotherapy. For instance, if you are having sex less often, you may want to hug and cuddle more, bathe together, give each other massages, or try other activities that make you feel close to each other.
- Talk with a doctor, nurse, social worker, or counselor. If you and your spouse or partner are concerned about sexual problems, you may want to talk with someone who can help. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage counselor, sex therapist, or clergy member.
Skin and Nail Changes
What they are and why they occur
Some types of chemotherapy can damage the fast-growing cells in your skin and nails. While these changes may be painful and annoying, most are minor and do not require treatment. Many of them will get better once you have finished chemotherapy. However, major skin changes need to be treated right away because they can cause life-long damage.
Minor skin changes may include:
- Itching, dryness, redness, rashes, and peeling
- Darker veins. Your veins may look darker when you get chemotherapy through an IV.
- Sensitivity to the sun (when you burn very quickly). This can happen even to people who have very dark skin color.
- Nail problems. This is when your nails become dark, turn yellow, or become brittle and cracked. Sometimes your nails will loosen and fall off, but new nails will grow back in.
Major skin changes can be caused by:
- Radiation recall. Some chemotherapy causes skin in the area where you had radiation therapy to turn red (ranging from very light to bright red). Your skin may blister, peel, or be very painful.
- Chemotherapy leaking from your IV. You need to let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have burning or pain when you get IV chemotherapy.
- Allergic reactions to chemotherapy. Some skin changes mean that you are allergic to the chemotherapy. Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have sudden and severe itching, rashes, or hives, along with wheezing or other trouble breathing.
Ways to manage
- Apply cornstarch, as you would dusting powder.
- Take quick showers or sponge baths instead of long, hot baths.
- Pat (do not rub) yourself dry after bathing.
- Wash with a mild, moisturizing soap.
- Put on cream or lotion while your skin is still damp after washing. Tell your doctor or nurse if this does not help.
- Do not use perfume, cologne, or aftershave lotion that has alcohol.
- Take a colloidal oatmeal bath (special powder you add to bath water) when your whole body itches.
- Acne
- Keep your face clean and dry.
- Ask your doctor or nurse if you can use medicated creams or soaps and which ones to use.
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Avoid direct sunlight. This means not being in the sun from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It is the time when the sun is strongest.
- Use sunscreen lotion with an SPF (skin protection factor) of 15 or higher. Or use ointments that block the sun's rays, such as those with zinc oxide.
- Keep your lips moist with a lip balm that has an SPF of 15 or higher.
- Wear light-colored pants, long-sleeve cotton shirts, and hats with wide brims.
- Do not use tanning beds.
- Nail problems
- Wear gloves when washing dishes, working in the garden, or cleaning the house.
- Use products to make your nails stronger. (Stop using these products if they hurt your nails or skin.)
- Let your doctor or nurse know if your cuticles are red and painful.
- Radiation recall
- Protect the area of your skin that received radiation therapy from the sun, and do not use tanning beds.
- Place a cool, wet cloth where your skin hurts.
- Wear clothes that are made of cotton or other soft fabrics. This includes your underwear (bras, underpants, and t-shirts).
- Let your doctor or nurse know if you think you have radiation recall.
Urinary, Kidney, and Bladder Changes
What they are and why they occur
Some types of chemotherapy damage cells in the kidneys and bladder. Problems may include:
- Burning or pain when you begin to urinate or after you empty your bladder
- Frequent, more urgent need to urinate
- Not being able to urinate
- Not able to control the flow of urine from the bladder (incontinence)
- Blood in the urine
- Fever
- Chills
- Urine that is orange, red, green, or dark yellow or has a strong medicine odor
Some kidney and bladder problems will go away after you finish chemotherapy. Other problems can last for the rest of your life.
Ways to manage
- Your doctor or nurse will take urine and blood samples to check how well your bladder and kidneys are working.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids will help flush the chemotherapy out of your bladder and kidneys. See the lists of clear liquids and liquid foods.
- Limit drinks that contain caffeine (such as black tea, coffee, and some cola products).
- Talk with your doctor or nurse if you have any of the problems listed above.
Other Side Effects
Flu-like symptoms
Some types of chemotherapy can make you feel like you have the flu. This is more likely to happen if you get chemotherapy along with biological therapy.
Flu-like symptoms may include:
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Fever
- Chills
- Appetite loss
These symptoms may last from 1 to 3 days. An infection or the cancer itself can also cause them. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any of these symptoms.
Fluid retention
Fluid retention is a buildup of fluid caused by chemotherapy, hormone changes caused by treatment, or your cancer. It can cause your face, hands, feet, or stomach to feel swollen and puffy. Sometimes fluid builds up around your lungs and heart, causing coughing, shortness of breath, or an irregular heart beat. Fluid can also build up in the lower part of your belly, which can cause bloating.
You and your doctor or nurse can help manage fluid retention by:
- Weighing yourself at the same time each day, using the same scale. Let your doctor or nurse know if you gain weight quickly.
- Avoiding table salt or salty foods
- Limiting the liquids you drink
- If you retain a lot of fluid, your doctor may prescribe medicine to get rid of the extra fluid.
Eye changes
- Trouble wearing contact lenses. Some types of chemotherapy can bother your eyes and make wearing contact lenses painful. Ask your doctor or nurse if you can wear contact lenses while getting chemotherapy.
- Blurry vision. Some types of chemotherapy can clog your tear ducts, which can cause blurry vision.
- Watery eyes. Sometimes, chemotherapy can seep out in your tears, which can cause your eyes to water more than usual.
If your vision gets blurry or your eyes water more than usual, tell your doctor or nurse.
Foods To Help With Side Effects
Clear Liquids
This list may help if you have:
Clear, fat-free broth
|Clear apple juice
Clear carbonated beverages
Fruit-flavored drinks
Fruit juice, such as cranberry or grape
Fruit punch
Sports drinks
Weak tea with no caffeine
|Fruit ices made without fruit pieces or milk
Liquid Foods
This list may help if you:
- Do not feel like eating solid foods (see Appetite Changes)
- Have urinary, kidney, or bladder changes
Cheese soup
Soup that has been strained or put through a blender
Soup with pureed potatoes
Tomato soup
|Carbonated beverages
Eggnog (pasteurized and alcohol free)
Fruit drinks
Fruit juices
Fruit punch
Milk (all types)
Sports drinks
Tomato juice
Vegetable juice
Sour cream
|Custard (soft or baked)
Frozen yogurt
Fruit purees that are watered down
Ice cream with no chunks (such as nuts or cookie pieces)
Ice milk
Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
|Replacements and supplements
|Instant breakfast drinks
Liquid meal replacements
Foods and Drinks That Are High in Calories or Protein
This list may help if you do not feel like eating. See Appetite Changes.
|Cream soups
Soups with lentils, dried peas, or beans (such as pinto, black, red, or kidney)
|Instant breakfast drinks
Whole milk
|Main meals and other foods
Butter, margarine, or oil added to your food
Cooked dried peas and beans (such as pinto, black, red, or kidney)
Cottage cheese
Cream cheese
Deviled ham
Nuts, seeds, and wheat germ
Peanut butter
Sour cream
|Custards (soft or baked)
Frozen yogurt
Ice cream
Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
|Replacements and supplements
|Liquid meal replacements
Powdered milk added to foods such as pudding, milkshakes, and scrambled eggs
High-Fiber Foods
This list may help if you have Constipation.
|Main meals and other foods
|Bran muffins
Bran or whole-grain cereals
Brown or wild rice
Cooked dried peas and beans (such as pinto, black, red, or kidney)
Whole-wheat bread
Whole-wheat pastas
|Fruits and vegetables
|Dried fruit, such as apricots, dates, prunes, and raisins
Fresh fruit, such as apples, blueberries, and grapes
Raw or cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, corn, green beans, peas, and spinach
Seeds, such as sunflower
Trail mix
Low-Fiber Foods
This list may help if you have Diarrhea.
|Main meals and other foods
|Chicken or turkey (skinless)
Cooked refined cereals
Cottage cheese
Potatoes (baked or mashed without the skin)
White bread
White rice
|Fruits and vegetables
Canned fruit, such as peaches, pears, and applesauce
Clear fruit juice
Vegetable juice
|Angel food cake
Saltine crackers
Sherbet or sorbet
Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Foods That Are Easy on a Sore Mouth
This list may help if your mouth or throat are sore. See Mouth and Throat Changes.
|Main meals and other foods
|Baby food
Cooked refined cereals
Cottage cheese
Eggs (soft boiled or scrambled)
Macaroni and cheese
Mashed potatoes
Pureed cooked foods
Fruit (pureed or baby food)
Ice cream
Soft fruits (bananas and applesauce)
Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Foods and Drinks That Are Easy on the Stomach
This list may help if you have Nausea and Vomiting.
|Clear broth, such as chicken, vegetable, or beef
|Clear carbonated beverages that have lost their fizz
Cranberry or grape juice
Fruit-flavored drinks
Fruit punch
Sports drinks
|Main meals and other foods
|Chicken (broiled or baked without its skin)
Cream of rice
Instant oatmeal
Potatoes (boiled without skins)
Saltine crackers
White rice
White toast
|Angel food cake
Canned fruit, such as applesauce, peaches, and pears
Sherbet or sorbet
Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Ways To Learn More
National Cancer Institute
Find out more from these free NCI services.
American Cancer Society
Offers a variety of services to patients and their families. It also supports research, provides printed materials, and conducts educational programs.
Cancer Support Community
Dedicated to providing support, education, and hope to people affected by cancer.
CancerCare, Inc.
Offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones.
A LIVESTRONG initiative dedicated to providing reproductive information, support, and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
A service of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research that provides oral health information for special care patients.
For More Information
This is only one of many free books for people with cancer. Here are some others you may find useful:
- Radiation Therapy and You
- Eating Hints
- Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies
- Thinking About Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Guide for People With Cancer
- Pain Control: A Guide for People With Cancer
- When Cancer Returns
- Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer
These books are available from NCI (the National Cancer Institute). NCI is a federal agency that is part of the National Institutes of Health. Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or visit www.cancer.gov. (See Ways To Learn More for more information.)
*For information about your specific type of cancer, see the PDQ® database. You can also find the database at www.cancer.gov.


text:
Used normally as an insult to anyone who resembles a person from pakkistan, a paky is actually a muslim from pakkistan, this is the true meaning of this word, so you can imagine why a similar looking person from a different faith would be offended.
you smelly paky
από 0-wordsworth-0 18 Οκτώβριος 2010
alternative spelling for pakis, pak-is as in singular
pakies is pural for more then one pakis
pakies is pural for more then one pakis
there stood a large group of pakies outside my class room. but there was one paki alone on floor
από turbovixen 6 Αύγουστος 2009

subset: commoncrawl


text:
HOME Nebraska Cornhuskers Gear Nebraska Cornhuskers Mens Nebraska Cornhuskers Mens Accessories Nebraska Cornhuskers Mens Accessories Mens (74 items) Product ID: 987572
Main Content
This item ships within one business day.
$4.99 3-day shipping. Need it faster?
When it rains, it pours, so let your Cornhuskers spirit keep you dry! With this automatic 42" folding umbrella, you'll be protected whenever it's raining cats and dogs. This spirited umbrella features team-colored panels and a Nebraska logo as well as a convenient team-colored bag to store it in. You'll always be prepared if you ever catch yourself singing in the rain with this Big Red umbrella!
- 42" diameter
- Auto open with plastic handle
- Eight panels
- Metal shaft
- Officially licensed collegiate product
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Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


text:
Yes, healing debuffs do work on anub. And are very very important, honestly basically required for hard mode.
Your rogue should be ensuring that wound poison is up on anub before leeching swarm starts ticking, otherwise those first couple of ticks of leeching swarm will put anub to back around 35% hp. And it never comes off, make sure your ms warrior continues to use ms in his rotation sub 20%. etc.
Rough fight, seems that it will get easier and easier as your dps goes higher and higher.


text:
Maternity Outlet
Seraphine Maternity/Nursing Brandi Tank
Regular Price: $60.00
Sale Price $25.00
Find the absolute best deals on the most fashionable styles in our maternity outlet sale. From designer maternity denim to chic maternity dresses, we have it all at rock bottom prices. Our extensive assortment of fabulous maternity styles at prices that can't be beat is sure to keep you looking like a hot mama throughout your pregnancy. And with such great deals, you can splurge on a few extra pieces to keep your growing bump stylish. Check out designs by Ripe Maternity, NOM, Olian Maternity, Japanese Weekend, and Paige Maternity today. Read More...


text:
The World's Largest Biker Picture Site!
Visit USBikerParties Now!
For more great Public Exhibitionism Pictures be sure to check out these sites...
USBIKERPARTIES.com - 100% Original Pictures & Videos of Wild Biker Chicks Partying Naked - This has got to be one of the largest collections in the world of wild biker chicks flashing and getting naked in public. With over 43,000 pictures and 2,300 hundred videos, they have it all. This is a pay site, but if you like wild naked biker chicks, this is definitely the place.
Coccozella - People Having Fun Getting Naked - One of the best sites on the internet dedicated to public nudity. They have it all from private shots on a secluded beach, voyeur pictures, and almost every event featuring public nudity and exhibitionism including 1000s of pictures from Biker Rallies & Parties around the world.
The Original Girls Gone Wild - You've heard about it...You've seen the previews...And you know you've always wanted to check it it. So Check It Out!
To find all the latest Motorcycle Events and Parties...
CycleFish Motorcycle Event Calendar - One of the Largest motorcycle event calendars on the internet. With oveer 3,000 motorcycle events including motorcycle rallies, biker parties, poker runs, bike shows and more.
Home Page | Links | Submit Photos | Contact Biker-Chick-Pics.com
Another website brought to you by CycleFish.com
©2008 Biker-Chick-Pics.com


text:
Knowing that you have helped someone facing cancer can be deeply rewarding. There are many ways to offer a helping hand:
Donate Now – Make a financial gift to help cancer patients in our community.
Become a Sponsor – Consider becoming a sponsor of Choirs for Cancer.
Buy a Ticket – Attend the Choirs for Cancer concert on Nov. 17, 2011 at the Joshua R. Mabry Center for the Arts at Carrollton High School in Carrollton, GA.
Partners in Hope – Support organizations that raise funds for cancer patients.
Personal Pages are easy-to-build fund raising web pages that a person
or group can create by using an easy online tool. It only takes a few
minutes to set up a Personal Page to encourage a friend battling cancer or honor the memory of a loved one, or even establish a team with friends or colleagues.
Once a Personal Page is set up, emails can be sent to family, friends
and neighbors with a link to your page, and even posted on your
Facebook page. Personal Pages help raise money for cancer patients in
our community.
It only takes a few minutes to set up a page using an easy online tool. Click here to create a Personal Page now.


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Learn to make one fantastic vanilla ice cream recipe and then flip it four summery ways.
From melting ice cream cones to glittery mermaid tails, we've gathered the best summer-inspired manicures from around the web!
On Saturday, hundreds of students from Newton and McDonald counties will participate in the annual We Care Fair at Abundant Life Assembly of God, 700 Spencer Dr., Neosho.
Artist renderings of what a proposed Neosho Junior High School would look like if voters approve a $24 million bond issue next Tuesday are available to R-5 school district patrons.
Missouri voters are asked to decide five Constitutional Amendments when they go to the polls on Aug. 5.
Residents in some Neosho neighborhoods have reported "milky" water, and one of the city's water wells has been shut down in response.
Gary D. Brooks, 68, Monett, died July 28, 2014.
The Under Cliff Restaurant in Tipton Ford, has a long history.
Everyone loves seeing animals, particularly in the zoo.
Neosho is the home of the nation's biggest loser, and she's a winner for that, and helped make big losers – and winners – of her daughters, also. Let's rewind.Leatta Workman said she joined one...
Hispanics are flocking to movie theaters in droves. But are they being underrepresented on screen?
- Events Calendar


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It wasn't hard to see where Roberto Cavalli's inspiration for the S/S '09 show had come from. The sounds of sea blared out from the sound system, moody black and white beach images were projected on huge screens and we literally had the sand between our toes as the floor was covered in sand. As for the collection? It was just as hot! The colours - fuchsia, lime, purple and yellow - shone. Leopard print livened up denim jeans and chiffon/silk dresses, we loved the fab peg trousers in bright prints, and there were lots of bright leather in jackets with sharp shoulders and second-skin '80s style mini-dresses and little ra-ra skirts. As if you needed any more hints, starfish motifs jangled off the bead-cluster necklaces and swimsuits came slashed in black and leopard print too. And what else would you need for a summer's day on the beach? Roberto Cavalli coke of course! How divine is this branded coke machine that keeping us refreshed on the front row?!
PS - judging by Just Cavalli long-line leather gilets over silk print dresses are hanging around for S/S '09 too.
- Charlie Miller


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There is no woodworking tool that's more satisfying, quick and precise to use as a handplane. Planes can process timber in its rough state, bring boards up to a glimmering smoothness, cut rabbets, dados, grooves and other joints, and trim wood with a precision that has yet to be matched by power tools.
Yet many woodworkers – both beginners and professionals – are intimidated by choosing the right tool, sharpening its cutter and putting it to use. And that's why Christopher Schwarz, the editor of Woodworking Magazine, wrote this book.
"Handplane Essentials" contains everything you need to choose the right tool for your budget and project, take it out of the box, sharpen it and use it successfully. The chapters in this book have been compiled from more than 10 years of the author's writing on the subject of handplanes in magazines, trade journals and blogs.
This is a sizable book – 312 pages – and is printed on high-quality paper. The hundreds of photos in the book have been sepia-toned, just like the photos in Woodworking Magazine. The book is hardbound, covered in black cloth with a copper embossing and a heavy full-color dust jacket. And – best of all – the book is produced and printed entirely in the United States. Here's what you'll find inside:
The Basics Learn what the different handplanes are used for. Decode their crazy numbering system so you can focus instead on what each tool does. And figure out what specific planes you need in your shop.
Sharpening Learning to hone your cutters to a keen edge is the secret to getting your planes to work. "Handplane Essentials" shows you how to get this done no matter what sort of sharpening system you use now.
Techniques Learn how to flatten individual boards, panels and even enormous tabletops with just a few bench planes. Learn to use specialty planes to cut grooves, rabbets and other joints.
History & Philosophy If you understand historical practice, you'll be a better handplane user – even if you choose to reject the traditional methods. Learn to pick a well-made old tool based on how it is made.
Reviews Find out who makes the best high-quality tool, whether it's a $50 plane from India or a $5,000 plane custom-made by a machinist in Scotland. The author has tried them all.
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- Your Department for Recreation and Relaxation
- Currently Unavailable
It's time to get ready for some winter rest and relaxation with this Rec Dept. Beanie from Warrior. This warm and cozy beanie has a knit outer with a comfortable inner lining and a fuzzy bobble attached to the top. Embroidered Warrior logo on the side of the beanie.
Acrylic. Imported.
Lamentamos que todavia no hay descripción en español para este producto.


text:
The Need for Belonging in Math and Science
October 21st, 2013 | 6
From her earliest memories, Catherine Good was good at math. By second grade she was performing at the fourth grade level, sometimes even helping the teacher grade other students' work. She was praised constantly for her "gift", often overhearing her mother tell anyone who would listen that she was a "sponge" for anything mathematical. By [...]Keep reading »
Apes in the Suites and the Streets: Participatory Organizing from #Scio12 to #OccupyWallStreet
February 2nd, 2012 | 2
Conferences are social grooming events for relatively hairless apes. A few will stand before the multitude, beaming with pride or shaking with nervousness (as the case may be), and present the latest research in contemporary ape thought. As their vocalizations reach a crescendo, those sitting demurely below will produce flesh-slapping noises that indicate they were [...]Keep reading »
Social Networks Matter: Friends Increase the Size of Your Brain
November 17th, 2011 | 5
New research confirms that social complexity enriches cognitive growth. Could having more Facebook friends actually make you smarter? Let's face it, as a species we're obsessed with ourselves. The vast majority of us spend our days at work or school where a considerable amount of time is taken up not discussing the important issues of [...]Keep reading »


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Movement 1: Vivace
Movement 2: Largo
Movement 3: Scherzo
Movement 4: Allegro molto
The rather short first movement functions almost as an introduction rather than the substantial movement one would normally expect. Improvisatory in feel (again in a 'classical' sense: the piano figuration is reminiscent of Scriabin or Rachmaninov), it begins ambiguously, never stating the tonic of D major until the entrance of the movement's principal melody. This melody was prefigured in the opening, and but for a certain rhythmic complexity it could almost be a Broadway show tune. The movement progresses by the repetition of this melody in increasingly vehement form, with a little developmental interlude reminiscent of Scriabin's Fourth Sonata (it even starts in the same key), and a brief coda recalling the opening.
The second movement begins like the first: somewhat unstable and searching, but much more inward. The chromaticism of the harmonic language here draws heavily on jazz, but the absence of a clear tonality means the listener is never quite able to settle. There is a central section with more than a hint of rock music to it, before a return to the initial mood.
The last two movements are both fast and this creates a problem of balance: the third movement almost sounds as if it could be the finale. Here one feels that perhaps Kapustin has been unable to repress his evident relish, as a performer, of the sheer physical aspect of playing. However, matters are helped by the movement's concision, its lightness of feel (particularly in the jokey ending), and the fact that it is not in the home key. The actual tonality of A minor incidentally has been presaged by the central section of the second movement and even by the emphasis on A at the very start of the work.
In contrast to the rather slight proportions of the first three movements, the fourth is a full-blown sonata form movement. Such blatant placing of the formal weight at the end of a work is unusual but not unprecedented—Beethoven experimented with this approach in the variations that end his piano sonata Op 109, and it is perhaps no accident that this work also begins like an improvisation, thus emphasising the weight of the last movement. In both works, the composers seem intent on creating almost a narrative structure that leads the listener inexorably towards the finale. Apart from the extreme virtuosity and jazz-influenced syncopations that are hallmarks of Kapustin's style, it is also worth noting that the development of the fourth movement begins with a walking bass line, briefly transforming the piano into a one-man jazz combo. Here we find a significant point of intersection between the jazz and classical influences in Kapustin's work, as the sudden change of jazz idiom serves to delineate the classical structure of the movement.
from notes by Steven Osborne © 2000


text:
NCMA Membership Benefits
Take Advantage of NCMA's Current and Relevant Offerings
NCMA provides contract professionals in the private and public sectors, buying and selling worlds, the knowledge and connections that offer lifetime career management through...
- Contract Management Magazine — Up-to-date practical information, and contract management news from our full-color, monthly publication. Learn more.
- Journal of Contract Management — In-depth, scholarly articles on theory and practice through our annual research-based publication. Learn more.
- CM News-Monthly e-mail newsletter providing the most current news and information of importance to the contract management community. Learn more.
- Chapter Affiliation — The chapter adds value by providing opportunities to members for networking, information on the profession, and educational forums that lead to career enhancement, in a local setting, tailored to local needs. Learn more.
- Salary Survey — Receive the executive summary of our comprehensive annual survey, which reports findings on age and gender, certifications held, education level, experience, employer industry, organization size, position level, job title, and location. Learn more.
- Professional Certification Programs — Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM), Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Industry Certification in Contract Management–Defense (ICCM–D), and Industry Certification in Contract Management–Federal (ICCM–F). Learn more.
- Webinars — Access these live webinars through the convenience of your office or home...learn from subject matter experts about the "hottest" topics in the industry, federal contracting basics, commercial contracting basics, and much more. Learn more.
- New! Free Member Webinars - This new series differs from the traditional NCMA webinar mainly in its focus. Members-only webinars will offer complimentary guidance and career advice rather than our traditional webinars. Learn more.
- E-Courses-Online courses are now available for certification preparation and continuing education in support of re-certification. Study at your own pace, at a time and place that is convenient for you! Learn more.
- Annual Educational Conferences — Government Contract Management Symposium, Subcontract Management Training Forum, and World Congress. Learn more.
- National Educational Seminars — Receive in-depth information on the latest issues and trends in contract management. Designed to fit your busy schedule, these intense one-day training seminars are offered in variety of locations. Learn more.
- Networking Opportunities with Industry Leaders — NCMA's Board of Advisors boasts a who's who of experienced and influential executives from The Boeing Company, Wells Fargo, KPMG, iRobot, and Lucent Technologies to the Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, and Defense Acquisition University.
- New! Membership Opportunity Partners— NCMA recently expanded this program to include more than 5 new companies who offer NCMA members discounts on their programs and services. Companies include FedEx, GEICO, and more! Learn more.


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Off the deep end, crazy, insane. But worse.
See Gary Busey.
See Gary Busey.
My mom has gone totally batshit; she tried to microwave our cat!
HolyHeartFailure가 작성 2005년 09월 05일 (월)
insane, wildly irrational (see also go batshit}, and batshit crazy)
The kid was batshit. No wonder nobody wants to be his friend.
Light Joker가 작성 2004년 12월 08일 (수)
adj/adv. pejorative used to describe people or events that lack any sense of rationality or sanity.
N) Glen Beck
N) Glen Beck
And what the fuck are you doing on television anyhow? Do you know I get calls every day from home thinking you went batshit (from the movie Casino).
Yeah, I watched the show today. Batshit started crying again.
Yeah, I watched the show today. Batshit started crying again.
editor, fucked up dictionary가 작성 2009년 11월 04일 (수)


text:
Need help with TrueCrypt or some other alternative
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Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 2:41 am
Post subject: Need help with TrueCrypt or some other alternative
Additional Information:
I would like to secure the data stored on the system. I do not want to store in a password protected archive. With TrueCrypt one can make a file that when mounted, appears as if it is another hard drive (speaking from Windows XP use). This is refered to as a "container". Data is decrypted and encrypted on the fly.
If for example a laptop is stolen, the data on it can not be accessed without the keys. Limiting the loss to just the hardware. Authorized users "mount" the drive (which is actaully just a file with the size determined by the user during setup) and the encryption operates transparently.
I would be happy to use an alternative to TrueCrypt, so long as it operates in a similar fashion.
In the mean time I have been experimenting with TrueCrypt using typed commands, and have succeded in creating a container file, but have not managed to mount the container file so that it apppears to be a hard drive.
Mike Hansen
I would like to use TrueCrypt in Linux. I have found a TrueCrypt RPM package, and it went through the installation process without any errors. However, there does not seem to be a way to use the program (as in a GUI).
I have found there is now a file called "TrueCrypt" in the file system under /usr/bin. The properties say the file is an "X-executable".
Since I am coming from Windows XP, I naturally expect a GUI after installing software. I guess I'm not quite sure yet what I'm doing with BLAG Linux. I would have expected a GUI to be available after install.
I had used TrueCrypt to make mountable "drives" that when not mounted, were encrypted. I sometimes store customer files on my systems, and prefer to keep them in a TrueCrypt "container" until I need to access them.
If there is a better container alternative, then please let me know. My preference is to use TrueCrypt, since I have experience with it. I do not want to use an archive, but rather a TrueCrypt type container.
Mike Hansen
Last edited by hansencomputers on Wed May 02, 2007 5:46 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 3:24 am
Post subject:
open a terminal window and type truecypt and see what it does. You might need to be in root mode.
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:42 pm
Post subject:
I'm not quite sure what your goal is for what you are doing. Perhaps if you explain that, we can suggest free alternatives.
GPG is a very good way to encrypt and there are GUI front ends for it (uh, seahorse??)
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:00 pm
Post subject:
Disk encryption in Fedora: Past, present and future:
That just discusses doing encrypted partitions, however.
Basically what you want is an encrypted loopback file. What you are talking about is 100% possible with blag/fedora. I don't know offhand good GUI tools for doing it though. Anyone?
Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:19 pm
Post subject:
HOWTO: TrueCrypt in Ubuntu and Fedora GNU/Linux
HOWTO: EncFS Encrypted Filesystem in Ubuntu and Fedora GNU/Linux
EncFS is in the BLAG repo.
Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 12:47 am
Post subject: How does one decrypt with GPG?
jebba wrote:
I'm not quite sure what your goal is for what you are doing. Perhaps if you explain that, we can suggest free alternatives.
GPG is a very good way to encrypt and there are GUI front ends for it (uh, seahorse??)
I have installed GPG and Seahorse, and created a key. I notice that in Nautilus the right click mouse menu now has "Encrypt" added. I have experimented with encrypting files, but have not been able to figure out how to decrypt a file or folder.
A little advice would be appreciated. Have a great weekend.
Mike H
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:02 am
Post subject:
I figured out how to get seahorse to decrypt files. It's a bit of a pain, and I don't know if all of these steps are necessary, but it seems to work for me. First, the version of seahorse in the repos is pretty old, so I uninstalled the old seahorse with synaptic and went to get the source for the newest version here:
Then I went back to synaptic and downloaded the following dependencies (some of which brought in other packages along with them):
(All but the first two are said to be optional, but expand functionality).
(You might also need to download other development packages--I had plenty of developing and compiling packages already installed, so I don't know what all a clean system would have to install in order to get to the point where I started. Presumably, if you get errors when trying to configure, it will tell you what else you need to install first).
I then unpacked and installed seahorse as follows:
tar xzvf seahorse-1.0.1.tar.gz
cd seahorse-1.0.1.tar.gz
make install
make clean
Now finally, after all that, seahorse is installed. It's not called seahorse in the applications menu anymore, but instead "Passwords and Encryption Keys". And there's still no ability to decrypt by right-clicking on an encrypted file in nautilus. BUT, if you right-click on an encrypted file, then you can select "Open with Other Application". The select "Use a custom command" at the very bottom of that dialog box, and use this command:
seahorse-tool -d
It's a pain, but it seems to work. Maybe there's an easier way. If anyone knows, post it here.
[I only found the "seahorse-tool -d" command after I had installed the latest seahorse. It's possible that that command might work with the version of seahorse in the repo. You can try that first].
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:38 am
Post subject:
The one in the 70000 repo is version 1.0.1 by the way.
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:32 pm
Post subject: Re: Need help with TrueCrypt or some other alternative
hansencomputers wrote:
If for example a laptop is stolen, the data on it can not be accessed without the keys. Limiting the loss to just the hardware. Authorized users "mount" the drive (which is actaully just a file with the size determined by the user during setup) and the encryption operates transparently.
I just noticed this thread, you may have found suitable solution, still to be sure.
Have you checked cryptobox [
It is GPL.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:55 am
Post subject:
jebba wrote:
HOWTO: EncFS Encrypted Filesystem in Ubuntu and Fedora GNU/Linux
EncFS is in the BLAG repo.
movingtofreedom.org is a really good site
this is a great how-to!
I follow it with interest and I made a mini-how to in Spanish about how to create private folders in BLAG using encfs:
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GIRO Women's Lure Snow Helmet, Black Pine Needles
Item: 20823926 Product Description >
Regular Price: $130.00 SALE $98.98
GIRO Women's Lure Snow Helmet, Black Pine NeedlesInsanely lightweight and outfitted with a carabiner for clipping to your pack, the Giro Women's Lure ski helmet is up for backcountry missions and inbound operations alike.
- Incredibly lightweight helmet is only 13.4 oz. (380 g), making it perfect for backcountry adventures
- Super Fit Engineering ensures that the helmet fits and performs at the highest level
- Roc Loc 5 fit system provides unrivaled comfort, stability, and adjustability; easily customize the fit tension and fore-aft tilt in seconds with just one hand
- In-mold construction fuses a tough polycarbonate outer shell with an impact-absorbing foam liner for a lighter, cooler helmet
- 12 Super Cool vents pull cool, fresh air in while pushing hot, stale air out; optimal vent shaping and maximized efficiency help regulate your core temperature to keep you comfortable all day
- Thermostat ventilation control lets you customize airflow with a simple, low-profile control button on the outside of the helmet
- Stack Vent lines up with the vents in your goggles helps keep them clear and fog-free while maintaining total helmet-goggle integration
- Compatible with all after-market TuneUps systems
- Plush earpads and a sophisticated color palette sets the Lure apart from other women�s helmets
- Goggle clip on the back of the helmet keeps your goggles secure
- Sizing:
~ Small, 52-55.5 cm
~ Medium, 55.5-59 cm
Country of Origin: Imported
GIRO Women's Lure Snow Helmet, Black Pine Needles
EMS_Sale Yes Gender Women's Audio Compatible Yes Goggle Clip Yes Has Earflaps Yes Has Vents Yes - 12 Removable Lining Yes