topic Re: Chemotherapy in Community Chat

Chemotherapy

Miranda1550 — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:10:57 GMT

I trust the knowledge of the ladies of the Forum.. I am taking

a friend for her Chemotherapy treatment. What will happen?

Will I be in the room with her? She does not want to ask the DR.

any questions.

Re: Chemotherapy

Winkk — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:21:26 GMT

I went with my sister once and was able to sit with her. I don't know if all situations are the same. But, she should not feel hesitant about asking her doctor anything. You may also want to post this on the Wellness forum because I'm sure there are ladies who will know.

Good luck to your friend.

Re: Chemotherapy

traveler — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:21:35 GMT

When I had chemo it was in a largish room with recliners for many patients. Family/ friends could sit nearby. It can take an hour or more. We had volunteers offer coffee, crackers.

Re: Chemotherapy

maestra — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:27:11 GMT

Your friend should bring a juice box/snack if possible and a shawl or light sweater.

Infusions can take a good while, be prepared.

Your friend NEEDS to ask her oncologist questions and find out how to reach the office during nights/weekends. She should have anti-nausea meds prepared at home. She may be very tired after and this can last for a day or so-everyone is different. She also may be advised to limit exposure to firiends/relatives and small children since her immune system will be compromised.

This is not a time for her to feel shy w/her doctor. Been there and done this.

God bless both of you! Caregiving is a blessing.

Re: Chemotherapy

bettinanne — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:31:01 GMT

Most infusion centers are super patient friendly and all about comfort. No doubt you will be more then welcome to be with her. I took my hubby for his. He was in a lounger with his own television. Lots of people will be getting treatment too. Volunteers all around offering snacks. Also lots of people stopped by to offer him any support services he needed---like researching his cancer, food/diet, ect. It will probably be chilly in there so take a comfortable throw or hoody for you both. The first day they typically give the patient an introduction so it will take more time. Depending on the chemo she is recieving you may be there for an hour or several. If she is not asking questions she is no doubt very scared. I understand---its not easy. You are a wonderful friend and she will need you. Prayers for you both.

Re: Chemotherapy

shaggygirl — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:31:19 GMT

When I used to go w/my late husband it was a large long room w/recliners along one wall for the patients, across from those along the opposite were chairs for those who were accompanying them, a tv, coffee, snacks (usually crackers & cookies) magazines, bathroom.

Re: Chemotherapy

SeaMaiden — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:32:05 GMT

@Miranda1550 There is a wonderful thread with ladies who are going through this or have gone through it on the Wellness Forum... you might post this question on that thread and I know you will get an outpouring of love and help.

Re: Chemotherapy

software — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:42:40 GMT

This is my experience. My late husband took chemo & he was in a room with others taking chemo. No family/friends was allowed in that room. It was very clean & germ-free. There was a room next door for family.

Some chemo takes hours, some not so much. She may need a blanket, sometimes one can be provided (because of cleanliness) and you may need sleeves, those rooms can be COLD. She is probably allowed snacks & drinks, depending on how long she is in there. You will too. Hubby got hungry, they would allow me to send in food.

God bless you for taking her. I wish you both well.

@Miranda1550 wrote:
I trust the knowledge of the ladies of the Forum.. I am taking
a friend for her Chemotherapy treatment. What will happen?
Will I be in the room with her? She does not want to ask the DR.
any questions.

Re: Chemotherapy

jaxs mom — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:42:49 GMT

You should be able to stay with her. At mine it was just a room with recliners and a bathroom. The nurse comes in to administer the meds and they check on everyone as needed. Usually people are reading, listening to music, watching tv or talking.

Re: Chemotherapy

maestra — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:42:52 GMT

see '

Cancer survivors' thread on Wellness forum.

Re: Chemotherapy

Noreen — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:55:59 GMT

There are magazines but be a sweetie and bring some to leave there for others.

This might be a good time to gift her with a get-well-I -am- with- you poncho.

Re: Chemotherapy

PINKdogWOOD — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 14:53:54 GMT

@Miranda1550 God bless you for caring for your friend during these very trying times. God has your friend in His hands to watch over and take her (him) through every sginle thing she will experience right to the end of her cure.

There are many here with excellent info and advice. I was at DH's side for 22 months through his time with this disease. You both will overcome this. If you will be her constant care giver, be her ears especially at every appt. Take a notebook if you want to, may be a good idea. As she does the treatments, ask many questions. There will be many and she needs to know and be in the know. There will never be a silly question. You will become so knowledgeable throughout this process, you may not want to be but it will become inevitable. She will not remember everything so you will become her eyes and ears.

Yes for sure take a cardi or poncho for both of you if she does not. Her Drs & Nurses are angels from heaven. They will also ask many questions especially the infusion Nurses so that they know their patient is comfortable. She will have many ups & downs but be there for her, she'll need your help and will love you for being by her side, to hold her hand, to give her a hug every day.

There is a light at the end of this tunnel, hard to see now but trust me, every day it becomes a little easier to see. You'll be amazed at how strong the patients are.

Re: Chemotherapy

JaneMarple — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 15:12:00 GMT

I've gone a couple of times with my sister and I have to say that I was extremely impressed with the Infusion Center. There was a series of pod like sections with eight small rooms to a section. The sections each had a nurse and other medical staff to help the patients. Each room had a television, recliner and two chairs for visitors. If the patient required a blanket, there were heated or regular ones available. If the patient fell asleep there was a lounge area for visitors to sit and read or watch television. Out in the lounge area there was a cart with sandwiches, beverages, fruit and other snacks for both patients and visitors.

Happy thoughts and best wishes for you and your friend.

Re: Chemotherapy

Puzzle Piece — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 15:40:28 GMT

Due to other patients doing chemo in the same room, there were no famiy and friends allowed. Others immune systems were low and exposure to anythig would not be good. The place was clean, well staffed, and rather had a happy positive atmosphere. '

Your friend needs to be transparent with her doctor, period.

Have her take along a book to read if allowed - televisions are usually provided.

Re: Chemotherapy

10grands — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 16:05:25 GMT

After reading the replies, there are many variables, some people can have others with them, some places do not permit that. Both my husband and I have received Chemo, times vary - you will find that out at the first visit if not before. The employees in the department are always very kind, informative and will take good care of your friend. I am so glad you are going with her, at least for the first time - it is overwhelming just thinking about it.

Maybe call ahead and some of her questions will be answered.

Re: Chemotherapy

Miranda1550 — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 19:22:30 GMT

As always, thank you for your help.

Re: Chemotherapy

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:15:20 GMT

@Miranda1550 wrote:
I trust the knowledge of the ladies of the Forum.. I am taking
a friend for her Chemotherapy treatment. What will happen?
Will I be in the room with her? She does not want to ask the DR.
any questions.

When I went with my mom....I went in the room with her. Her chemo was done in the doctor's office and was like a shot...not a long infusion.

Re: Chemotherapy

maestra — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 21:11:29 GMT

During October of each school year I would teach 13-14 year olds to knit and we would knit Healing Shawls for chemo patients.

Younger children may not have the sustained interest and fine motor skills to complete a shawl. Also to avoid being an unpaid babysitter I limited this to the older students.

Several of these lovely students were recognized and honored by Bridgeport, CT hospital for their shawls and caring. I was very proud of them.

Re: Chemotherapy

jaxs mom — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 21:27:45 GMT

I always ran hot when I had cancer/chemo, even when my head was bald I couldn't even wear a hat in winter.

Re: Chemotherapy

GCR18 — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 02:31:17 GMT

I finished chemo in Nov. My hospital allowed guests. Some people would bring a big group. I found that distracting. I brought a guest a couple times. There was a guest chair and tv at every station.

On chemo day I was there for almost 6 hours. First giving blood, a quick appt with the Dr, chemo pre drugs, then chemo. My chemo room had coffee, soda, juice and crackers for everyone. They always offered me a heated blanket, but I was never cold. There were tons of restaurants nearby for the guest to pick up lunch. I always packed bottles of water, snacks and a sandwich. Plus I had my kindle, magazines, newspaper. I packed like I was going away on vacation for two weeks. Everyone there was always really nice.