Chemo at home

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1

Hi Folks,

I’ve had my first FEC in hospital and also plan to have my first Tax there too but am going to have FEC 2&3 and TAX 2&3 at home. I have just frightened myself by reading a post on the Macmillan forums about somebody reacting badly to their 3rd FEC and needing resuscitation with crash trolley, medics etc. 8-0
Has anybody out there had experience of chemo at home?

Many thanks,
Kate x

2

Hi

I haven’t had Chemo at home, but do have herceptin at home. I asked my nurse about reactions and she said that they can happen but as she is in a one to one situation with me, she would be able to catch it very early and hopefully it would then not have the chance to become severe. I do understand your concerns though.

I hope someone who has had Chemo at home can reassure you.

Good luck,

Debx

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I had 6x EC chemo at home and I must say that it made a potentially unpleasant experience bearable. It was great that I didn’t have to travel to and from the hospital and when it was over I could crash in my own armchair. When I asked my chemo nurse about any reaction to the drugs she also said that she would spot it early and take appropriate action. After my first chemo she rang me to check that I was OK and rang again the following day. If I ever needed chemo again (I very much hope not) then I wouldn’t hesitate having the chemo at home.

4

Thank you both, that’s reassuring.
The chemo went so well in hospital that I wonder if I’m being unwise to have some doses at home but as most of my treatment is during the school holidays, Easter & summer, it just saves trying to find childcare and someone to give me a lift to the hospital (OH away with work most of the time).
K x

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Hi, I had all my chemo and herceptin at home. I would whole heartedly recommend it, it makes the experience a lit more bearable. If I had had to attend hospital, I think I would have found the psychological impact far greater. Nurses who administer chemo at home are expertly trained.
Carole

6

Thanks.
I’m just wondering now whether I should let my children (12 & 8)stay here during the chemo or pack them off to a friend’s house…

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I haven’t, but my father had 6 rounds of Tax at home. The only thing he found a little awkward was what to do when the chemo nurses where just sitting around waiting - otherwise he recommended it.

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Hi K,

I have had chemo. at home twice and found it excellent - I certainly was very grateful to be there having it in my own house - made it more bearable somehow. The first time - 2008 - my son was 9 and he sometimes stayed around, but more often than not went to Gran and Gramps’ - I can’t really remember TBH! Last year, he was 11 and since I had had a PICC line fitted there was much less palaver with veins etc - just hooked me up and good to go! However, I feel he was more aware then of what was going on and still mostly went to G&G’s. He was really not keen to see it going into my body, I think. Sorry to ramble on, but I guess I’m saying that if it does upset them, maybe they could go out to play or upstairs to their room or something, or perhaps if they really will hate it, be packed off, as you say. Sorry, but I’m not sure if there is a clear cut answer to this - I think it was better if my son was not around, but if it was unavoidable, there would be options so he wasn’t in the thick of it. I also always had my Mum with me - childish, I know, in my 40s! - but it gave me comfort and she was on hand to administer cups of coffee and biccies if need be! So, maybe a friend around too would be a good idea.

Sorry to go on…love, Sarah.

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Thanks Sarah,
You’ve given me lots of food for thought!
Hopefully the kids will play nicely upstairs. Don’t fancy the thought of breaking up a fight while attached to drip! Most of my friends will be away for the Easter break so I think we’ll have to set up coffee & biscuits before the drip goes up…
K x

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This has never appealed to me, as I don’t like the idea of turning my home (“My refuge/haven”), into a hospital ward. As it’s only a few treatments-and in holiday time, do the kids have friends they can go to for a few hours?

11

When I had the chemo at home my lovely nurses Norma, Lousie and I used to do the crossword and put the world to rights. Louise has got me hooked on ebay though!!

12

Hi - How do you set up chemo at home? It is something I would like to consider. Is it NHS or a charity?

Sadie Xx

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Hi Sadie,

I’ve got private health insurance through my husband’s employers but according to insurance company it’s actually cheaper to have chemo at home than in hospital! Not sure whether that applies to NHS though but it’s worth asking…

Hi Cadi,
Think I’ll save some crosswords then. I’ve managed to avoid getting hooked on ebay so far, unlike this website!

K x

14

Hi Sadie,

I’ve got private health insurance through my husband’s employers but according to insurance company it’s actually cheaper to have chemo at home than in hospital! Not sure whether that applies to NHS though but it’s worth asking…

Hi Cadi,
Think I’ll save some crosswords then. I’ve managed to avoid getting hooked on ebay so far, unlike this website!

K x

15

Whoops! Sorry!
K x

16

Hi Sadie and all!

I had chemo. at home with a company called “Healthcare at Home” accessed through my partner’s private insurance from work - Bupa at the time, now Barratt’s are with Aviva - so I hope it’s still available to me should I need it again - touching wood! I’m not sure if it’s available through a charity, but they are a UK-wide company and the two nurses I had were lovely.

All the best, Sarahx

17

I had my chemo at home (6XFEC). I thought it was excellent. No stressing about getting to the hospital, parking, waiting around. I always knew what time the nurse would arrive. They always fitted me in in the afternoon so my son was home from school and could look after the dog. I would watch tv throughout the treatment or just have a nice chat to the nurse and it was all very relaxed and after I could just crash out on the sofa straight away.
I am due 4x TAX soon and they have said I can have them at home too. I am a bit more apprehensive because I have heard some people can experience allergic reactions to tax but I will discuss it fully with my ONC beforehand.

Sadie, in my area which is Bristol HCT, the Healthcare at Home started as a pilot scheme but was carried on as it was such a success. You could always ask at your hospital if this service is available in your area.
Debs x

18

Hi all,

I’ll be using Healthcare at Home too. My insurance company is Simply Health (who seem to be advertising a lot on TV at the moment).
Do you get two nurses at once or one at a time?

K x

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Thanks as always!! I will ask at hospital next time, but it looks like I need health insurance and I have not got any!! A bit late now. Oh well, back to waiting rooms.

Sadie Xx Xx

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Another one who has chemo at home here, I had my 1st one 2 1/2 weeks ago with 2 lovely nurses who sat and closely monitored me throughout and am due the next one on Wed with just one nurse. Does make it much less stressful I think and like some others have said I just crashed on my own sofa straight after. Mine is done by GEM Healthcare through Cigna insurance (through work).