What to expect when having chemotherapy

Tests you may have

Receiving the treatment

To prepare for chemotherapy and between cycles, you will have a number of tests to help plan treatment:

• weight and height measured to work out the right dose
• blood tests to check how well your kidneys and liver are working and the number of blood cells 
• x-rays and scans to check that you are fit for treatment and see how the tumour is responding to treatment.

For some chemotherapy drugs, you may also have:

• heart monitoring tests to see if the drugs are affecting your heart
• lung function tests to check whether the drugs are affecting your lungs.

While receiving chemotherapy you will usually be:

• seated in a reclining chair in a room with other patients; during treatment it’s a good idea to shift your weight in the chair
• able to walk around the room (e.g. if you need to go to the toilet)
• given anti-nausea (antiemetic) medicine so you don’t feel sick
• given several glasses of water to drink to help flush the chemotherapy drugs through the kidneys and bladder
• monitored throughout the session – nurses will talk to you about ways to manage side effects
• able to have someone with you to support you during treatment, depending on health guidelines at the time
• able to travel to and from treatment by yourself; it’s recommended that someone is with you the first time in case you feel unwell and to write down any instructions or advice.