hi all i am due to start chemo in the next few weeks but not to sure what to expect re company. i cant drive so my daughter has to take me. its an hour drive each way. i have been told apt will last 2 to 3 hours or 4 if have cold cap. my q is how much of this time can my daughter be with me or does she have to sit alone. i want company. also what happens about food and drink. these q will probably be answered when i get nearer to starting but i thought i would ask you experts on here. oh by the way its lovely and sunny although windy here in bedford. i know how much you like to discuss weather as well from other threads. have a good day summers round the corner.
xjuilex
Hi Julie,
Where I am treated it is usual for patients to have someone with them. In fact it is advised that you don’t drive yourself in case you’re not up to driving yourself home. In the treatment area there are three chairs for each person treated - one for the patient, the other two for the nurse & the patient’s friend or relative.
As for food & drink, I imagine each hospital is different. In Leicester there is a tea & coffee machine, sandwiches & fruit (all free). Supposedly for patients only, but OH’s etc help themselves too. Now I am on to herceptic and an old hand, so to speak, I have learnt to take my own flask of tea (the machine stuff isn’t very nice) and my own pack-up, as I’m not keen on the sandwiches provided. I also go on my own - it’s nice to be able to speak to the other patients you meet, you keep on seeing the same faces each time, and I don’t need to worry about not being well enough to drive home. I take the newspaper, and a book with me.
Before I started chemo I was given a tour of the chemo suite, so I could see for myself what it would be like. If this is not offered to you, perhaps you could request it? Then it’s less daunting the first time you go.
Hi Julie
In our hospital we can have one person only sitting with us as it would get too crowded otherwise. They do encourage for someone to come with you as they don’t advise that you should drive yourself home. They also have cubicles for more private treatment if you are feeling very weepy and/or unwell, so that is a bonus. I reacted badly during the first chemo and the nurse offered me a cubicle or a screen round my treatrment chair, which is what I chose. There is a coffee shop in the general waiting area, and OH managed to have his cup of coffee, but I stuck to water and as I had my treatment early in the morning, had a good breakfast beforehand. They also provide sweets to suck etc. as some chemos give you a strange taste and sucking sweets helps with that.
Like Roadrunner, I had a tour of the chemo suite and could ask the nurse anything I wanted to know and we always have the same nurse giving the chemo each time, so she gets to know you a bit and can help with any queries. The only annoying thing is the waiting around . But I had my chemo on a Monday, so my bloods were done on a Friday and I phoned for the results first thing Monday, before I came in. If everything was ok, they ordered the chemo from the pharmacy and it meant I just had to get in for my appointment, rather then sit around for 2 hours whilst they waited for the blood results and making up of the chemo. But every hospital is different, so worth asking what the protocol is.
Very best of luck and hope everything goes well for you.
Birgit
hi
thanks i have been given the 10th march for my visit and 12th to start. so will have q ready.
julie
I was allowed someone with me the whole time and food and drink were provided.I did take ice lollies in a flask because was told that sucking them helped to prevent mouth problems.Certainly worked for me it was the only side effect I didnt have:)
My experience has been much the same in that you can have someone with you throughout treatment-I took nibbles and mags etc but sandwiches were provided and drinks for patient and partners free of charge.I did the cold cap and they provided conditioner-use loads about half a bottle before treatment,but remember to take a hat with you to wear when you come out as you’ll still have all the conditioner on !! I didn’t know first time and another patient kindly lent me a spare she carried round with her.