Need some help–so you can help them?

Adam had the kind of life many people would envy. A good job, a happy marriage, and a future that seemed to unfold effortlessly. Until his wife Jill was diagnosed with colon cancer. Suddenly, Jill was receiving chemotherapy and trying to cope with its side effects. And Adam felt guilty because Jill was the one who was sick, and he didn't know how to help her.

Like many people whose loved ones face cancer, Adam witnessed firsthand how debilitating nausea caused by chemotherapy could be. One day Jill would feel fine and go about her normal activities. Then the next day she couldn’t stand the sight or smell of her favorite foods. Adam was at a loss on what to do until he did some research.

Adam learned that patient surveys consistently rank chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) as two of the worst side effects from treatment. And, as much as they dislike it, people receiving chemotherapy believe that nausea is a sign that the treatment is working. They worry that if they tell their healthcare team about feeling sick, they might have to receive a less effective dose of chemotherapy to fight the cancer.

As a result, healthcare providers are sometimes unaware of their patients' discomfort. One study showed that incidence and impact of chemotherapy side effects on patients may be underestimated by their healthcare providers, especially in the days following treatment. Caregivers can play an important role here by encouraging loved ones to talk with their healthcare team about how they are feeling throughout their course of therapy. Together, they can help find ways to avoid CINV, including diet and lifestyle changes and antinausea medications.

Use this site to learn more about how ALOXI^® can help. And while you're exploring, be sure to learn about the Stay Strong Patient Support Program where you will find downloadable information that will help you find out more about CINV and how to help manage it.

Before your loved one starts treatment, you can ask their treatment team about ways to help avoid CINV. To make your conversation easier, you can download a list of questions called ask your doctor available on this site. Or encourage your loved one to try out the "I felt" calendar or the "I felt" checklist that will help them talk to their treatment team about how they're feeling the week after chemotherapy.

It may be helpful to know if your loved one is likely to experience CINV. It can happen no matter what type of cancer they have or wherever they are in their treatment. Both males and females may experience CINV, though females are usually more likely to feel nauseous from their chemotherapy. Find out their level of risk on this site.

Look for online resources and education on this Web site to help you learn everything you can about cancer and treatment options. Find support programs in your area or download information that will help you help your loved one manage nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

When you contribute to the care of someone going through cancer, you help them stay strong. Preventing CINV can help them stay strong, too, so they can continue their course of therapy. And not feeling nauseous can help them keep up with the things they enjoy doing—like spending time with you.