What is chemo like?
I go to Moffitt Cancer Center's Infusion Center for chemo.
So far, I've been twice.
First stop is the lab to get blood drawn. If I'm running an infection, I can't have chemo. Then upstairs to the fourth floor for infusion. I follow the footprints to the end of the line, then wait for a registration clerk. This generally only takes a couple minutes. The first question is my date of birth and name. They check me in, hand me a wristband and ask me to verify the information. Then he/she fastens the wristband, and ask me to take a seat.
The waiting room is frequently full. There's a lending library (lots of Star Trek novels, but a good assortment of everything.) Several puzzles are started on nearby tables. There are some comfy chairs/recliners for those who want to relax a bit or just don't feel good. Generally someone is curled up in a blanket, and my heart goes out to them. I know that someday soon I may feel the same way. There are computers with Internet connections.. and best of all --- some good cancer information websites.
At the far end is a machine with grape juice and orange juice. (This is Florida after all..) Coffee and other beverages are available for the wait. I learned on my first visit to NOT drink the coffee before they take my temperature. Nope, that's not a fever... just caffeine. But I got to sit there until the temp was non-coffee temp.
First I'm called back for weight, temperature and blood pressure (aka vital signs). Then back to the waiting room (and more knitting).
When everything is ready, I'm called and taken back to the infusion chair. So far, I've been going by myself. I don't drive far, and don't need an escort. The infusion chairs are in a U-shaped areas- two chairs per area. Sometimes I get to chat with the other patient, sometimes not.
The nurse introduces herself, checks my wristband, verifies my date of birth. She gets the chemo meds from the pharmacy, which is actually there in the infusion center (okay, there's a door marked infusion pharmacy....I've not actually seen inside.) The nurse has me verify that this is my name on the bag(s), then starts programming the infusion pump. She's programming in the drug, the dose, the rate and probably other data. The first time I watched it seemed like she was programming for a rocket launch.
Then she cleans the connection, connects the IV to the pump via tubing, and starts the process.
If it is a new medicine, we discuss what it is, what it does, and what to watch for. Then she leaves, stopping to see how I'm doing occasionally. When the infusion machine is done it beeps... and has a bright red light.
I drink a lot so my veins are easy to find, and the fluid that the medicine is diluted in adds more fluid. My kidneys get a work out. The infusion pump comes with me to the bathroom.
After the process is over, she unhooks me, and I head home, grateful that I live nearby.
So far, I've been twice.
First stop is the lab to get blood drawn. If I'm running an infection, I can't have chemo. Then upstairs to the fourth floor for infusion. I follow the footprints to the end of the line, then wait for a registration clerk. This generally only takes a couple minutes. The first question is my date of birth and name. They check me in, hand me a wristband and ask me to verify the information. Then he/she fastens the wristband, and ask me to take a seat.
The waiting room is frequently full. There's a lending library (lots of Star Trek novels, but a good assortment of everything.) Several puzzles are started on nearby tables. There are some comfy chairs/recliners for those who want to relax a bit or just don't feel good. Generally someone is curled up in a blanket, and my heart goes out to them. I know that someday soon I may feel the same way. There are computers with Internet connections.. and best of all --- some good cancer information websites.
At the far end is a machine with grape juice and orange juice. (This is Florida after all..) Coffee and other beverages are available for the wait. I learned on my first visit to NOT drink the coffee before they take my temperature. Nope, that's not a fever... just caffeine. But I got to sit there until the temp was non-coffee temp.
First I'm called back for weight, temperature and blood pressure (aka vital signs). Then back to the waiting room (and more knitting).
When everything is ready, I'm called and taken back to the infusion chair. So far, I've been going by myself. I don't drive far, and don't need an escort. The infusion chairs are in a U-shaped areas- two chairs per area. Sometimes I get to chat with the other patient, sometimes not.
The nurse introduces herself, checks my wristband, verifies my date of birth. She gets the chemo meds from the pharmacy, which is actually there in the infusion center (okay, there's a door marked infusion pharmacy....I've not actually seen inside.) The nurse has me verify that this is my name on the bag(s), then starts programming the infusion pump. She's programming in the drug, the dose, the rate and probably other data. The first time I watched it seemed like she was programming for a rocket launch.
Then she cleans the connection, connects the IV to the pump via tubing, and starts the process.
If it is a new medicine, we discuss what it is, what it does, and what to watch for. Then she leaves, stopping to see how I'm doing occasionally. When the infusion machine is done it beeps... and has a bright red light.
I drink a lot so my veins are easy to find, and the fluid that the medicine is diluted in adds more fluid. My kidneys get a work out. The infusion pump comes with me to the bathroom.
After the process is over, she unhooks me, and I head home, grateful that I live nearby.
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