The Chemotherapy Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get Through Treatment

(Paperback)

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Description

The first and second editions of this best-selling guide have already helped thousands of people understand chemotherapy and prepare themselves or their loved ones for treatment. The book is used as the primary chemotherapy patient education tool in outpatient clinics nationwide. This new third edition of The Chemotherapy Survival Guide includes updated information on topics including biotherapy, immunotherapy, nutrition, stress reduction, chemotherapy drugs, and more.

Written by experienced oncology nurses Judith McKay and Tamera Schacher, this reassuring, optimistic guide helps readers understand their treatment options and explains in plain English how different types of chemotherapy really work. The book includes detailed advice on how to cope with and alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss and nausea, and describes how good nutrition, meditation, support groups, and other techniques and resources can help chemotherapy patients recover both physically and emotionally during this difficult time.

Reviews

"The Chemotherapy Survival Guide should be read by all patients diagnosed with cancer as well as their families. It offers valuable information about cancer and the various approaches to therapy in addition to practical advice. This book will help readers understand the decisions they face, how to cope with the disease, and the treatments they will undergo."
--Michael Cassidy, MD, medical director at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Cancer Program

"Besides being well organized and easy to read, The Chemotherapy Survival Guide has been a great comfort to me during my chemotherapy. It's the book I reach for when I get those late-night worries and questions."
--Susan Smith, cancer survivor

"Overall it is an excellent and comprehensive approach. The Chemotherapy Survival Guide is well written and organized in a way that I think will be readily understandable for people without medical backgrounds."
--Raymond Liu, MD, hematology and oncology specialist

"The information presented is easy to follow and understand. The book gives readers a detailed look into the cancer treatment process. It will help ease patients' fears and their loved ones' anxiety and stress, especially at the beginning of treatment."
--LC, oncology nurse

"The previous edition of this comprehensive, well-written guide was enthusiastically received by patients, nurses, and physicians. This updated edition is even more valuable. It contains information relating to all aspects of a potentially difficult and frightening diagnosis. The suggestions for symptom management are practical and constructive."
--Martha A. Tracy, MD, oncologist at Northern California Hematology Oncology Consultants

"This new edition of The Chemotherapy Survival Guide provides patients with practical ways to empower themselves, from beginning preparations for treatment to issues of survivorship. Its down-to-earth philosophy is an invaluable guide for health care providers who educate cancer patients."
--Quan Thai, RN, MSN, OCN, oncology nurse practitioner

"One of the best books available for teaching patients how to cope with the challenges of cancer treatment. Everything, including how to understand diagnoses, treatment plans, and emotional and social challenges, is beautifully written in layman's terms so the patient can become an active partner in his or her own treatment. A must-read."
--Judith Shepherd, MSW, DSW, social worker at Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center

Author Bio

Judith McKay, RN, OCN, received her degree from California State University, Hayward, and has been an oncology nurse involved in patient education for more than twenty-five years. She helped develop and taught chemotherapy orientation classes at the Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center in Berkeley, CA, where she currently works. McKay is coauthor of When Anger Hurts and contributed to the best-seller Self-Esteem.

Tamera Schacher, RN, OCN, MSN, is an oncology-certified nurse and a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She trained to become a registered nurse at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and received her master of science in nursing and family nurse practitioner degrees at Sonoma State University. For the past five years, she has worked at the Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center.