Phone Numbers
Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242
Patient information
(203) 688-4177
Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222
Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333
Admitting
(203) 688-2221
Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331
Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907
Mailing address:
Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT
06510-3202
Common concerns
If you or someone you know has cancer, you are aware of the impact the disease has on a person's physical and emotional health. The disease itself affects the mind and body, and sometimes the methods used to treat cancer can also have side effects. While medical therapies can offer hope against treating the cancer itself, there is also help available for cancer patients and families to deal with the other aspects of living with cancer.
It is important that you tell your doctor or nurse when something is bothering you. Don't feel that you have to tough out these problems alone. There may be a simple solution available, but you won't know unless you ask. Don't suffer in silence.
Side effects of cancer treatment vary from patient to patient. The good news is that about only a third of cancer patients have side effects during treatment, and most of these go away when treatment ends. Ask your doctor about any expected side effects before you begin treatment.
Anemia
Anemia is when there is a reduced number of red blood cells in your blood.
Red blood cells normally bring oxygen to the cells of the body. Without
enough red blood cells, your body is deprived of oxygen, and you feel
tired. Bruises do not heal quickly.
Chemotherapy treatments can slow the production of red blood cells and cause anemia in cancer patients. Medications that increase production of red blood cells can reduce anemia. Sometimes the number of red blood cells may be so low that a blood transfusion is required. If the likelihood of anemia is very high, it may be delayed with injections of erythropoeitin.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy drugs affect the lining of the intestinal tract. If you are
receiving radiation therapy directed at the abdomen and pelvis, diarrhea
is possible. Fortunately these are temporary side effects for most patients.
Call your doctor if diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours.
If you have diarrhea:
- Take only clear fluids, broth, and dry toast at first.
- Gradually add foods such as rice, bananas, pasta, potatoes and then meats.
- Eat small, frequent meals instead of three big meals.
- Eat foods at room temperature.
- Don't drink milk or eat cheese and ice cream.
- Don't eat fresh fruits (other than bananas) or raw vegetables.
- Stay away from greasy, rich, spicy or fatty foods.
- Drink lots of water (eight glasses a day) and clear juices so you do not get dehydrated.
- Don't take any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Depression
The diagnosis of cancer is a heavy burden to bear for both patient
and family, but there is help available at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
It is common for cancer patients to feel like they have lost control over their lives. Depression, anxiety, fear and uncertainty are common and can be overwhelming. Both patients and families wonder whether treatments will be successful, how they will receive care after leaving the hospital and whether they can all cope with this disease. The physical changes and emotional stress of cancer are difficult for many people to cope with. Ask your doctor about medications, counseling and support groups that can help.
Symptoms of depression include increased sleeping, feeling sad, having no energy to complete tasks and loss of interest in personal appearance, people or activities. There are very good medications available for depression.
More on depression and cancer from the National Cancer Institute
Eating problems
You know you should eat, but you have no appetite. Or it's hard
to swallow or your mouth feels dry. Oral or intravenous antinausea medication can offer dramatic relief from these symptoms. In addition, you should talk to your dietitian
at Yale-New Haven about ideas for foods that may be more appealing and
nutritious.
More on nutrition and cancer from the National Cancer Institute
Fatigue
Fatigue is very common in cancer patients. It can be a side effect of
chemotherapy or radiation therapy, but can also be caused by the emotional
difficulties of living with cancer.
If you are feeling fatigued, let your doctor or health care provider know. Fatigue caused by cancer therapy will gradually go away over time.
Tips:
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Don't try and do more than you are capable of
- Spread out your activities during the day
- Drink lots of water
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Eat several smaller meals, instead of three large ones
- Seek counseling or join a support group to reduce stress
More on fatigue from the National Cancer Institute
Feelings
Your feelings
are an important part of your overall health. You may feel sad or unhappy
because of your diagnosis, pain, treatments or the way cancer has affected
your life. Tell your doctor and nurse how your mood has been. Yale-New
Haven cancer social workers are specially trained to help cancer patients
and their families. Don't suffer in silence - help is available.
Hair loss
Hair loss may happen
after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, but it is temporary and will grow
again after completion of therapy. Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair
loss, and radiation therapy only causes hair loss in the area treated.
Talk with your doctor before treatments begin about what you can expect.
You may wish to prepare for hair loss by getting your hair cut short before therapy begins. Once therapy starts, treat your hair VERY gently. Avoid excessive drying with a hair dryer or towel, use only mild shampoo and do not get your hair permed or colored. Scarves, hats and other wraps are alternatives to wigs.
Women interested in alleviating the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments may be interested in attending Look Good...Feel Better sessions, sponsored by the Yale Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society. For information on Look Good...Feel Better, please call Bonnie Indeck, oncology social worker, at (203) 688-6573.
Nausea
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy or cancer itself can cause nausea. Several
new drugs can prevent nausea in many patients. Talk with your physician
before treatments about your options. Certain patients experience nausea
in anticipation of receiving treatments. For these patients, deep breathing
and other relaxation techniques may be helpful.
If you still experience nausea, tell your physician and try these tips:
- Eat smaller meals instead of three large ones
- Avoid spicy or strong-smelling foods and fresh vegetables that are hard to digest
- Eat slowly and chew food well
- Don't lie down after eating
- Eat crackers or other bland foods at the beginning of a meal
- Take small amounts of ice chips or sips of flat clear soda
- Try listening to quiet music or rest quietly for an hour after meals
More on nausea and vomiting from the National Cancer Institute
Pain relief
Pain can rob
you of sleep, of the chance to live as normally as possible, of your emotional
health. If you are suffering from pain, let your physician or nurse know
right away. Don't feel that pain is an expected part of having cancer
or undergoing cancer treatments.
There are many ways to manage pain. Cancer pain can almost always be controlled. Many new medications, innovative procedures and state-of-the-art devices are available to help. Sometimes, surgery and radiation therapy can help. Some patients find relief through relaxation exercises and breathing techniques.
To help your doctor treat your pain, write down when you are in pain, and how strong the pain is (scale of 1 - 10). Take pain medications on schedule to keep pain under control. Do not wait until the pain is too strong for fear you will become addicted to pain medicine. Let your doctor know if the pain medication is not working. There are many drugs available and it may take more than one try to find the best one for you.
More on pain control from the National Cancer Institute
Susceptibility to infection
Chemotherapy
may result in a temporary reduction in the number of white blood cells
in the bloodstream. If this happens, patients are less able to fight off
infections than usual. If a patient on chemotherapy develops a fever,
it may mean that antibiotics need to be started quickly, sometimes in
a hospital setting.
Next page: Cancer support groups
Cancer Services home page
Online
physician referral service
Last revised: April 27, 2007 (dh)
