Timothy Moynihan, M.D., Mayo Clinic oncologist

Chemotherapy is a difficult thing to go through. There are many, many side effects to it. And how to cope with it is different for each individual. Maintaining good strong relationships with family — good supportive care from family members, friends, support groups — is very important.

Trying to stay as active as you possibly can is a very good coping mechanism. Many women, fortunately, during chemotherapy can maintain most of their normal schedule. They may be more tired, and they may have certain side effects that detract from their schedule at times. But many times they can maintain as normal a life as possible. The chemotherapy certainly interferes with your life, so the more you can maintain a normal schedule, I think, the more normal you feel, and feel as if your life is being stolen from you a little bit less.

So I think trying to maintain as normal activity and normal attitude as you can, as well as relying on your support personnel, can be very helpful.

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