I'm going to help a buddy get through chemotherapy.

[philly_bob]

I'll go to his place and help him get to and from his treatments. He lives about 100 miles away from where I live. His hospital is about 10 miles away from his home. Neither of us has a car.

His treatments are supposed to be every three weeks.

Any hints as to what to expect?

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Wow, GOOD for you...That is all I can say!

[applegrove]

2. You are a great egg. Vibes to your friend's health.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Your Friend will be

exhausted and this will become even more acute as the treatments continue. Lots of humor helps. There are articles about the side effects and behavioral effects. Hit the Google,everyone has different tolerances.

Been their for two Sister in laws as well as a brother in law. Each was a different .

Just take a deep breath and prepare yourself for attitude and physical changes and thank you for being your friends rock.

[PennyK]

4. What a good friend you are

Every cancer has its own special treatment. Your friend should get a stack of printed info describing just what his chemo regimen will be, and he should have an orientation session with a nurse describing how the treatments will affect him. Start there, and you'll be able to come up with ideas for how to help out the most.

Most likely, nausea will be a problem, as will everything tasting terrible (chemo kills your taste buds along with other fast-growing cells). Chemo also weakens your body's ability to fight off infection, so hand sanitizer is a must, as is avoiding anyone who's sick.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. You are a special friend.

[alfredo]

6. Thanks for being a good human being.

Things you can do is make him comfortable, make sure he has a barf bucket nearby, keep him hydrated.

A cane or walking stick might be what he needs to get around safely.

[adrianastepheny]

7. Suggestion

Hey buddy, you are doing great things. why not you arrange any sublet near a hospital? Cancer is a very dangerous disease. This particular disease affects very badly to a body. So much journey trouble him, conditions become worse.

[FSogol]

8. 1. He might be fine the day or two after chemo, but will get worse as the week goes on.

2. Having someone take him to/from chemo is a big help, but may need more help later in week.
3. A little community forms of all the people waiting for chemo. Be a hero and bring scones or donuts or brownies or cupcakes to the session for everyone.
4. Make some easy meals for later in the week. Rice soup, chicken soup, french onion, meatloaf, chicken and broccoli, etc. Chili or tacos are good at the beginning, but later in the treatments, they'll probably avoid spicy and favorable stuff.
5. The treatments will have more and more effect on him as time goes by. He might feel ok after treatments 1-3, but will feel terrible after treatment 8. He'll need more help then.
6. Chemo brain. His thought processes will become worse as time goes by. Be ready to help out with the day to day stuff.

HTHs and Good luck.

[philly_bob]

9. REPORT: First chemotherapy treatment.

Sophisticated chemo-cocktail included enough steroid and anti-nausea medicine that my buddy felt just fine -- if "out of sorts" -- for first two days. Travel was no problem. Left after two days. Side effects ahead.

Thanks for comments.