Treatment > Medical Oncology > Medical Therapies to Treat Cancer > Understanding Chemotherapy

When to Call - A Guide to Understanding
Symptoms from Chemotherapy

While you are undergoing chemotherapy, it is common to feel fatigue and weakness. However, if you experience other symptoms described, you should contact your nurse and/or doctor right away.

Often, these symptoms may just be the normal side effects from your treatments. They can often be controlled or eliminated by early intervention. But you must call whenever you feel these symptoms. Many people wait too long because they don't want to bother the doctor or nurse. Please do not hesitate to call. It is often much easier to treat the symptoms before you feel worse.

Call Your Nurse or Doctor if You Have:

• A Temperature - Greater than 100ºF *Any fever and chills notify your physician immediately. If unable to contact your physician, go to the emergency room.
• Sore Mouth - New sores, patches, swollen tongue, or bleeding gums
• Sore Throat - A dry, burning, scratchy, or "swollen" throat
• A Cough - New or persistent productive cough
• Changes in Bladder Function - Increased frequency or urgency to go; burning on urination; or blood in your urine
• Changes in Gastrointestinal Function - Heartburn; nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea that lasts longer than two or three days; or blood in stools.

Other Changes You Should Call Your Doctor or Nurse About

• Skin Changes - Redness, tenderness, swelling, or discharge from sores, intravenous sites, lab draw sites, port-a-cath, or Hickman catheter sites. Call if you experience a rash, itching of the skin, or an increase in pain or bruising.
• Numbness, Tingling - If you feel pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands, legs, or feet. Also call if pain interferes with walking, or activities of daily living
• Fatigue - If fatigue is so severe you cannot perform normal functions, or are feeling confused, call the doctor.
• Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath - Call if you experience muscle cramping, shortness of breath, jaw or rib pain, palpitations, and faintness. Call 911 if you have chest pain and cannot immediately reach your doctor.
• Dehydration or Cannot Eat - If you have not eaten solid food in 24 to 48 hours, or if your total fluid intake is less than one to two quarts per day, call. Dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, thirst, and weakness are symptoms of dehydration and require nursing evaluation IMMEDIATELY and intravenous fluids.
• Pain - Call anytime to report new or severe pain or if your pain medications do not control pain within 48 hours of starting them.

Your Medications

• If you have nausea or vomiting that lasts for 24 to 48 hours after you have received medication, please call your doctor.
• Remember to call for refill prescriptions two to three days before your medication runs out. Make sure you always clearly understand all instructions before taking your medications.

• If you are receiving Taxol, remember to take Decadron (20 mg) at 10 p.m. the night prior to your treatment and 6 a.m. the morning of your treatment.
• If you are receiving Amifostine and also take blood pressure medicine, please notify your doctor.

Ambulatory Chemotherapy Pumps
If you are receiving chemotherapy over a 24-hour period via a CADD pump:

• Do not shower.
• Avoid strenuous exercise unless approved by your doctor.
• Remember to call the treatment area each day to report pump volume or if pump alarm goes off. (Call Medicine III in the evening, on weekends, or holidays).
• Follow troubleshooting chart in your care guide for further pump instructions.
• Please call the nurse if you have any questions.

Allergies
Make sure your doctor and nurse know of any allergies you have, or any new drug sensitivities you develop. Call if you have any of these symptoms:

• Itching
• Swelling of the hands, feet, or face
• "Flushed" appearance
• Itchy, watery eyes and sinuses
• Shortness of breath

Pregnancy
Call immediately if you suspect you are pregnant.

Important Greenwich Hospital Phone Numbers:
Chemotherapy Treatment Area: (203) 863-3733
Medicine III (Inpatient Unit): (203) 863-3557
Chemotherapy Treatment Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Please call Medicine III after hours or on weekends or holidays for any problems/questions.

In an emergency, call 911.