Chemo Day Unit

Today is a day of chemotherapy, I will not be here to write something new. This piece was published as a client on the blog of the Regional Cancer Foundation Ottawa. Ottawa is quite specific, but I suspect that most of the routines are similar wherever they are treated.

In addition to the post yesterday, I thought I'd write about what you can expect when visiting the central cancer chemotherapy or other systemic therapies. When I was starting out, I found the direction of the chemo and the tour is very helpful, but there was a lot of information to digest. And I felt so overwhelmed that a lot of it was quickly forgotten.

Rating:

Submit your green card in the receiving hospital and request form for blood tests, if you have an appointment to do before chemotherapy.

Blood:

Worth making a digression at this point to talk about blood. You need to have blood tests before each chemotherapy treatment - usually the day before or the day of treatment. You do not need an appointment to go to the lab, only its application.

However, I would recommend to get a port or PICC. Portacath I put after the second reading (the procedure is quite simple and quick) and I have no regrets. Chemotherapy can cause the veins becomes hard and small, and draws the blood can become a painful, frustrating and traumatic. My second reading, to find a vein of jobs was a challenge. I think that my gateway does everything a lot easier and I'm always happy to show my other patients.

The only downside is going to a port or a PICC route is that you must book through the chemotherapy unit of blood is taken from a nurse. Should call as soon as you know when the chemo will be. After about two hours, bloodworm and chemo. I always try to do both names on the same day - is my blood work, then there is a snack and go back to chemo.

Back to Home:

After checking, looks at his watch. Then go sit in the waiting room and get comfortable (this is a good book, crossword puzzle or knitting to be helpful). You can also go and check their hats and scarves free alcove to the right answer. Just be sure and keep your ears open, so you know when you are called.

If more than twenty minutes to run when you log in, and when you called, you should check back to reception to ensure there are no delays. After nearly five years of treatment, I just had to wait more than twenty minutes a few times.

The clerk, a volunteer (in the yellow jacket) or nurse will tell you when it's your turn and we will send one of the "pods" - number of units around the outer perimeter of the unit.

Treatment:

The nurse has to go beyond the information (name of another code, make sure you get the drugs to the right!) And you're settled in bed or chair (do not be shy with your choice).

There are a lot of chairs around guests. If you are someone, ask them to sit on the opposite side of the IV drip, so that the nurse is your friend easier and more comfortable.

The nurse will take guts (blood pressure and temperature), see their blood and connect to the Unit IV). His medications were ordered at the pharmacy while waiting, the nurse will probably start an infusion of saline solution to help you hydrated.

About hydrated, it is perfectly OK to go to the bathroom during treatment. You become filled with plenty of fluids! Just take your product from the wall (they have batteries for backup) and go on a toilet.

I always bring my own pillow to chemo, but there are also beautiful sheet available to patients. Ask the nurse if you have a cold.

During treatment, you can read, talk with your friend, listen to music, watch DVDs and even cruise the Internet (ask at the reception of the password-Fi). Do what you need to pass the time comfortably.

Treatment may last from ten minutes to several hours. When finished, a beep of Unit IV and the nurse will collect you choose. Most of them can take their bowels before sending back your way.

I know it sounds like a lot of information, but in reality everything is quite easy and there are a lot of people asking for help for questions and answers. It 's easier than you think.