Even the Eyebrows?

When I was told I needed chemotherapy I froze with fear. The word itself has almost mystical powers, conjuring up vivid mental images of frail, shadow-like people curled up on beds, quietly writhing in agony and slowly losing the will to live. In truth I'd never really thought about what it actually was, I just knew it was bad. I asked my family and friends what they thought chemotherapy was and, bearing in mind how prevalent cancer is these days, the responses were as varied as they were downright peculiar:



"I've never actually been sure what's involved, but
I know it's unpleasant."



"It's a large machine you slide into, a bit like the old iron lung machine," (does anyone remember the old iron lung machine?)"



"Every bit of your body's bombarded by deadly

rays."



"It's an injection that lasts for hours and hours."



Well, here are just four good reasons why I needed to dispel some ridiculous myths about cancer treatment. Even the eyebrows? is an honest account of what to expect before, during and after treatment, and a guide to making the journey as comfortable and calm as humanly possible.