A couple of weeks ago, I saw a small article in a magazine, that said anyone was entitled to receive their chemo at home, but it was a little known fact. Did anyone else see this, I cannot find the magazine now or even remember what it was, and I would like to look into this.
Thanks
Hi Ginny
I am entitled to chemo at home via my private health care. It is part of the package I am entitled to, and I have seen posts from other women on this site who have chemo at home. I don’t think you are entitled to this on the NHS. The nurse visits you and does everything at home, if you need the cold cap you have to have a few which you put in the freezer in advance.
I have not used this, I have used the NHS throughout for all my health care for breast cancer despite having private cover - things moved so fast that my surgeons said the NHS was quicker (amazingly true) and one of the surgeries could only be done by the NHS hospital. All the surgeons and care is the same. The radiotherapy will all be done at the same place by the same people so it just didn’t seem worth it to me.
I have my chemo administered at the ward - apart from the general scariness of the first visit I think I prefer this to having it at home - it is more sociable; I would have to have extra visits to have my bloods done and see the onc; I know I am in the right place if anything goes wrong; it doesn’t actually take that long etc.
I can understand you wanting this if you live a long way from the hospital or if you have secondary cancer or are very ill - perhaps you should ask the chemo nurses or call the nurses on the helpline to see if they know anything more.
good luck with it all.
Hi Ginny
Think I know the article you are talking about. It was in October edition of prima and was called 10 things no one told me about breast cancer (an extract of a book by Sharon Morrison called "Even the Eyebrows?). I also found the article interesting. see my onc on Friday and will be startin chemo shortly may ask about this. Hope this helps. ans good luck all x
Mel
Hi, I’ve just finished my Chemo at home. Sharon my nurse has become a good friend. It was the best decision I have every made, but what ever you decide, Private or NHS the staff are wonderful. (Well they were in Bournemouth and Poole.
Best Wishes
Tracey
Thanks - it was the article in Prima, have found it out again now. Tracy - did you have yours at home on the NHS - I have no private health cover. I have had 10 sessions of chemo now with 8 more to come, and I am getting a bit of a phobia about going onto the ward. It is not the needles or the actual treatment, it is the sitting there in an uncomfortable chair for so long. As soon as the nurse has attached the drip, I feel a panic attack starting, I have been able to fight the feeling so far. I try to keep occupied, to keep my mind off the clock, but I still clockwatch all the time, even with reading, doing puzzles, Nintendo DS etc. My husband is always with me, so it is not as though I am alone even. I feel such a baby, especially when I know some people are there nearly all day. I know I would be happier to be sitting in my own home.
Just trying to bring this to the top again, in case anyone has any tips on how I can stop my feelings of panic??
Hi Ginny,
I shook like a jelly throughout my chemo - at first the BCN thought I was cold but it was just nerves - she gave me Letrozole (spelling) it helped a little. You say you are having 18 lots of chemo - is that heceptin? I was able to have heceptin at home (through my medical insurance - but I think that some hospitals offer it at home too - I would ask)
Hope things improve
cheers
caroline
Hi Caroline
Sorry not to have replied earlier. I am on Taxotere which is a horrid chemo for side effects. I now have burnt hands from the treatment and have been given steroids, but chemo will have to stop until they are healed. Have also picked up a nasty sickness bug at the weekend, so have been feeling well sorry for myself. Have 7 more sessions of chemo to go now, so guess I will just have to brave it out. Is Letrozole something that relaxes yiou a bit?
xx
Hi Ginny,
Sorry you are having such a tough time. I’m afraid I got the name of the drug that was given to me prechemo to calm me COMPLETELY wrong - I’ve just googled letrozole and it is a completely different drug - although used to treat certain breast cancers. I am wracking my brain to remember what the other drug was called - perhaps your BCN will know? Really sorry to give you misinformation - must still have chemo brain! I’ll shut up next time
cheers
Caroline