Everyday life during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can affect you physically and emotionally. Most people have ups and downs during treatment, but support is available. 

Some people find they can lead an almost normal life during chemotherapy. But others find everyday life more difficult.

You may feel unwell during and shortly after each treatment. But you might recover quickly between treatments. You may be able to get back to your usual activities as you begin to feel better.

Your emotions

It's not unusual to feel up and down emotionally during chemotherapy treatment. You may find you have good and bad days. 

Attending hospital appointments while having treatment can be physically and mentally exhausting. And it can go on for many months. Some people say it is like running a marathon or climbing a mountain. So, it takes a lot of commitment and energy, which can be draining in the long run.

Managing your expectations of yourself and prioritising self-care during this time is important. Some people find focusing on taking it ‘one day at a time’ help them.

Feeling tired

You might feel tired during chemotherapy. This is perfectly normal. It can be caused by:

• the drugs themselves and your body fighting the cancer

• lack of sleep

• not being able to eat properly

• a drop in your red blood cell count (anaemia)

• having a lower white blood cell count than usual – your immune system is having to work harder

Feeling tired all the time can be difficult if you're used to having a lot of energy. But if you’re over tired, you might be more likely to feel sick and generally find it harder to cope.

So don't fight your tiredness – listen to your body and rest if you need to.

What you can do

If you can, it might help to make a few changes so you don't get too exhausted. If you are working, see if you can reduce your hours. Ask your family or friends to help with chores, and have your shopping delivered if you can.

If you have children, try to arrange help with childcare on chemotherapy days and for a couple of days afterwards. Your health visitor might be able to help with arranging childminding or nursery places.

If you are looking after children, try and get them to do something quiet that you can join in with easily. Drawing you a picture, playing a board game, watching TV together or cheering them on with their console games will keep them busy without you having to do too much.

Your GP might be able to give you some mild sleeping pills if you’re having trouble sleeping.

Research has shown that gentle exercise can help reduce tiredness and improve mental wellbeing. Listen to your body and take things at your own pace. 

Eating

There is no recommended special diet while you are having chemotherapy. Each person has different dietary requirements. Talk to your healthcare team for advice about diet, digestion, weight loss or what to eat.

Chemotherapy can have an effect on eating and drinking in different ways. These include:

• making the lining of your mouth very sore or causing small mouth ulcers
• changing your sense of taste
• reducing your appetite

What you can do

If you have a reduced appetite it may be easier to eat little and often. Try regular small meals rather than trying to eat larger main meals.

You can try high calorie meals in a drink if you really don't feel like eating much. You can also boost energy in your diet by switching to higher fat or higher calorie foods and drinks.

If your food tastes different, stronger flavours and different textures can sometimes help.

To lower the risk of getting an infection, avoid mould ripened or blue veined cheeses and raw meat, fish and eggs. 

Avoid supplements and food and drinks containing probiotics such as bio-yogurts. These contain live bacteria. Although generally safe, they need to be used with caution during chemotherapy when your immune system may be weakened.

Work

How people feel during chemotherapy varies a lot, so you’ll have to see how you feel. Some treatments are harder going than others and everyone is different. Your healthcare team should be able to tell you about the likely effects of your treatment.

Time off work

Some people manage by working part time or only between treatments. You may find working helps you cope and distracts you. Or you may prefer to stop working while you have treatment.

You might worry that it isn’t safe to do your job during chemotherapy. For example, your job might put you at greater risk of infection. Ask your healthcare team if you are worried. 

Most people will need time off work for the type of chemotherapy you have through a drip. But some people manage to go to the hospital, have their treatment and then go on to work. You obviously need some time off work if you need to spend time in hospital to have your chemotherapy.

You could ask your employer to let you work at home. Or you could think about changing your working hours to avoid travelling in the rush hour.

If you are off sick for more than 7 days, speak to your doctor or GP and ask for a fit note (sick certificate).

Sick pay

Some employers will give you sick pay. You can also get statutory sick pay if you earn enough to pay National Insurance and are off work for 4 days or more in a row. You receive your statutory sick pay through your employer for the first 28 weeks of sick leave.

Less than 4 days off work in a row counts as casual sick leave. Your employer should pay you for this, up to a maximum amount of time off per year.

There are rules about who can claim statutory sick pay. You can read these on the UK government website.