Chemo U

July 12, 2011

Today we attended an information session for patients who are starting chemo and their caregivers.  We learned that Ernie will get his chemo on the same day every week.  Since his doctor has "clinic" every Tuesday and Friday, one of those will be his day.  Of course, we are hoping for this Friday.  If we miss this window, he will have to wait until Tuesday, July 19.

The morning of chemo, he will have his blood tested.  If his white cell count is OK, the pharmacy is alerted to prepare the chemo drugs.  These two steps consume 2 to 3 hours during which time you must remain available at the hospital.  The chemo itself takes another 2 to 3 hours, which includes getting extra fluids in Ernie's case because of the specific drugs he is getting.  Basically, they advised us to plan on his chemo being an all day affair.

The chemo is given in "pods", which look kind of like corporate cubicles.   There is a reclining chair/bed for the patient and a chair for the one visitor you are allowed.  You can bring your computer, ipod, etc or read or talk on the phone.  They provide free wifi connections..  They also encourage you to bring snacks, etc as you really can't go anyplace while all this is happening. 

After chemo, you are given anti-nausea drugs for 3 days.  The goal is to try to live a "normal life" between treatments. 

Before we left they also armed us with phone numbers where we can get our basic questions answered and a 24 hour hotline should we need urgent attention.   The attention to detail is incredible and makes you feel that everything will go smoothly.  Now if we could only get going....