Chemotherapy

What to expect?
Your doctor has recommended chemotherapy and you don't know quite what to expect. The following information is designed to help you understand the chemotherapy process, manage the side effects of chemotherapy, and to recognize problems that should be reported to your doctor or nurse.

Prior to your chemotherapy appointment
Your physician or nurse may have given you a set of prescriptions for anti-nausea medication. Please have these prescriptions filled and bring them with you to your first chemotherapy appointment. Your nurse will go over the directions for taking these medications and give you written instructions as well. You do not need to take these medications prior to your chemotherapy appointment unless otherwise instructed.

Day of chemotherapy
Wear loose-fitting clothing and dress in layers so that you may remain comfortable in an air-conditioned environment. If you become cold during your treatment, please ask a volunteer for a blanket.

Eat a light breakfast and/or lunch, choose foods which are easily digested, avoid fried, fatty, greasy foods. You may bring a snack in case you become hungry before you finish your treatment. Please limit your snacks to cold foods with minimal odors, as some of our patients are very sensitive to smells.
For your first chemotherapy treatment, you may bring one family member or friend to stay with you in the chemotherapy room. Because space is limited and we want to accommodate all of our new patients, visitors are requested to wait in the lobby during subsequent visits unless special arrangements have been made prior to treatment. If you would like to have a visitor sit with you during treatment, please make that known when scheduling your appointment. (Please note, all visitors must be 16 years or older.)

Please refrain from the use of cell phones or computers in the chemotherapy treatment area. They may interfere with sensitive monitoring equipment and endanger the safety of our patients.

Receiving chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is most often given intravenously through a vein. A Registered Nurse in our office will administer your chemotherapy. The frequency and length of your treatment will depend upon your chemotherapy regimen. Your nurse will schedule your chemotherapy appointments.

Before you leave
Do you have your next chemotherapy appointment (your chemotherapy nurse will schedule this for you)? Do you have your nadir check appointment (if applicable the front desk will schedule this for you)? Do you have your lab slip (if applicable, your chemotherapy nurse will provide this for you)?

Post-chemotherapy

Managing Possible Side Effects - You are not likely to experience every side effect, but you won't know how your body will respond to your specific treatment until you're there. Your medical team will assist you in preparing a strategy to deal with the side effects. As part of your side-effect management, you may be given anti-emetic medication (to control nausea/vomiting). Please follow the instructions given. Notify your doctor or nurse if the medications are not effective.