Abstract

This work describes the meaning of the chemotherapy according to opinions and realities of leukemia patients. It is a qualitative research, where we interviewed twelve patients who underwent chemotherapytreatment, with the following questions: What does it mean to you taking chemotherapy? The analysis of the speeches revealed chemotherapy as a painful treatment, for the several effects that it presents. The treatment was responsible for the patient's physical inability, it transforms their bodies, it changes their image of the body, changes theirs daily life and them emotional state, leading to a great feeling of sadness, fear, nervousness, depression and anguish. The interviewees consider the treatment the best, and faith in God and hope make them to continue. The conclusion that chemotherapy alters the daily life of those people and that it is necessary to desing a nurse care to meet all stages of the treatment for leukemia all phases of the treatment of the leukemia to drift.

Key words: chemotherapy; patient and treatment