Just starting Chemo at the end of the month.

Hi

Lots of things to think about and others will have better answers to some but here goes.  I had the same regime - 3 months every three weeks and 3 months weekly. I always had a check with my oncologist first ( including checking my blood sample) which was easy as he is in the same building (Epworth, Melbourne).  Then to day oncology, comfortable large chairs (beds were available for any who required them) and find a vein. If you have difficult veins (they should ask, you must tell) you should of course be offered a port.  I didn't have one but many others here can advise. You will be weighed (height/weight affects dosage, there is not one amount for all) and a nurse will run through some general questions about your health ( particularly after you have started on chemo). As you may be in close proximity with other patients, this can be amusing or slightly embarrassing but you will get used to it! But important to share what you are experienceing, there are no right or wrong answers and some side effects can be helped or reduced quite quickly.

You will usually get premeds, which may include anti nausea drugs, and then whatever chemo cocktail your are on. Some fo the premeds can cause reactions - the premeds before Taxol regularly made me pretty drowsy, to everyone's amusement.

My three weekly treatment took up to two hours (premeds, chemo, flushing at the end) but you also need to factor any wait time and that will depend on where you are being treated and how many patients are there at any one time, which will vary of course. I found staff terrific but they had days when they were short staffed, or had to spend more time on one or two patients and this inevitably slows things down. How soon you can leave will depend on how you feel. I was fine and left asap. You would be well advised to have someone with you if at a l possible for your first one or two (and when the cocktail changes) just in case you have differing reactions. Many people take friend or family members with them, many don't - it's up to you and the local rules, if there are any.

My day oncology offered tea and coffee, and sandwiches at lunch time. Yes you can take your IPad, IPod, a book, and so forth.

Some patients are a bit chatty, some want to be left alone. I found it was pretty easy to pick up the cues, chat briefly if people were inclined, but mainly people concentrated on chatting to their friends or using their devices, reading etc.

Wear anything you like/are comfortable in as long as you can get to your arms or the port. If you need to go to the toilet with the drip in (does happen!) best not to have anything too fiddly.

Best of luck.